How to Maintain and Sharpen Pocket Folding Knives

Owning a custom pocket knife is like carrying a little slice of joy in your pocket. There’s no better feeling than whipping out your folding knife to tackle life’s challenges.

But, just like any tool, it requires care and maintenance. This blog post will reveal helpful tips for storing, cleaning, and sharpening your folding pocket knives.

Maintenance and Cleaning

To increase the longevity of your custom pocket knife, consider the following tips:

Regular Cleaning

After each use, it’s crucial to clean your Custom pocket folding knife thoroughly. It will remove dirt, debris, and potential rust-causing agents.

Start by disassembling your knife if it allows, but make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 Once apart, you can clean each component more thoroughly. Clean the blade with a soft cloth or sponge and mild soap.

Don’t apply excessive pressure. Then, rinse the blade with warm water. When cleaning the handle and other parts, pay attention to any hidden areas where dirt or moisture can accumulate.

Dry all components completely before reassembling. If you notice any signs of rust, tackle it immediately with a rust eraser, an abrasive sponge, or fine steel wool.

Lubrication is essential to protect your pocket knife from rust and ensure smooth operation. Apply a light coat of a good-quality lubricant to the blade.

Proper Storage

Proper storage is the foundation of knife maintenance.

A dedicated sheath or a pocket clip can prevent your knife from knocking against other objects, which could dull the blade.

It also helps to keep your knife securely in your pocket. Before storing your knife, make sure it’s clean and dry. Moisture can lead to rust, so a quick wipe-down with a clean, dry cloth is a good habit to develop.

Avoid using leather or nylon pouches for long-term storage.

These materials can trap moisture, potentially causing rust or corrosion.

High heat can damage the handle material, while extreme cold might cause brittleness. Store your knife in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Sharpening Techniques

Sharpening your knife involves removing material to create a new cutting edge.

While there are various sharpening methods, we’ll focus on two popular techniques: a sharpening stone and a honing rod.

Using a Sharpening Stone

Several sharpening stones are available, including diamond stones, ceramic stones, and whetstones. Let’s focus on whetstones here.

These stones are generally considered the easiest to use and are made from fine to coarse grit. Select the stone grit based on the condition of your blade.

Coarse stones (around 200-400 grit) are for heavily damaged or dull knives, while finer stones (1000-3000 grit) are for regular maintenance and edge refining. Start by placing the stone on a non-slip surface like a rubber mat.

Then, lubricate it with water or honing oil to reduce friction. One of the most essential parts of sharpening a blade is knowing to what angle to sharpen the blade.

Most pocket knives have a bevel angle of around 20 degrees. Ensure you maintain a consistent angle throughout the sharpening process for uniform results.

As you begin sharpening, use a circular or back-and-forth motion to slide the blade across the stone.

Use even pressure and repeat the motion from the base to the tip. Flip the knife and repeat the process on the other side of the blade, ensuring each side receives equal attention.

If your knife is exceptionally dull, begin sharpening with a coarse grit to remove any nicks or inconsistencies in the blade. Gradually move to finer grits to achieve a finer, razor-sharp edge.

Using a Honing Rod

A honing rod is a handy tool for maintaining the sharpness of your pocket folding knife. There are several kinds of rods.

 The most common is the steel honing rod, also known as sharpening steel. To be safe, place the tip of the honing rod vertically with the tip resting on a stable surface, such as a cutting board.

You must again determine the bevel angle of your pocket knife. If you need help determining your knife’s sharpening angle, you can go to your local knife shop or hardware shop and ask them to determine the angle of your knife.

Gently stroke the blade down the honing rod, starting at the base and moving towards the tip. Repeat this process on the other side of the blade, ensuring equal strokes on each side. Finally, test the sharpness of your pocket knife by carefully slicing a piece of paper.

 A sharp knife should slice through paper effortlessly.

And that’s all. You are now equipped with the knowledge to maintain and sharpen your pocket folding knives properly.

Remember, a custom pocket is a long-term investment. And a well-maintained folding knife will prove to be a reliable companion in countless situations.