If you are looking for a new tactical knife, or if you’ve had your current one for years, it’s important to make sure that the blade is in good condition. Tactical knives aren’t cheap, so taking care of them will ensure that they last long enough to get their money’s worth out of them. Here are some tips on how to take care of a tactical knife.
A tactical knife is a very useful tool to have around the house, or on any camping trip. It can be used for anything. From cutting rope, slicing food, opening boxes and envelopes, self-defense even! With so many uses it’s no wonder that they are becoming more popular each day.
1. Keep Your Knife Clean and Dry
Clean your knife after every use by wiping it clean with a cotton rag. If you have used your tactical tool to cut something wet, then wipe it dry immediately. When you are not using the knife, keep it in the sheath and store it securely in a safe place away from children’s reach. Do not touch the blade edge while cleaning or storing otherwise you will leave fingerprints on the blade which might lead to rust formation if moisture is present
2. Sharpen the Blade Regularly to Keep it in Good Condition
A sharp edge will always be more effective than a dull one. How often you need to sharpen your knife depends on how often you use it, but generally speaking, the more you use it, the sooner you’ll have to sharpen it.
3. Use a Sharpener that is Designed for Knives
The sharpener should be designed for knives and not some other tool such as scissors. How often you sharpen your knife is dependent upon the type of blade on your knife. If it is a straight edge or double-sided, then you can use a two-sided sharpening system that will re-profile the blade to maintain its optimum shape while helping to restore an extremely fine cutting edge. A ceramic sharpener shouldn’t be used on serrated blades. Because the structure of the ceramic material isn’t consistent enough and may end up taking part of your serrations off with each pass. The same goes for carbide blade sharpeners because again they are too hard for this application. Just about any decent brand of flat stone will suffice when using a two-sided system.
4. Store the Knife in a Sheath or Case when Not in use to Avoid Accidents and Protect from Corrosion
– How to take care of a tactical knife?
If you use a sheath or case, make sure it provides good grip and retention, such as the Böker Protector. You should also avoid leaving the blade exposed for long periods of time.
5. Use Oil on the Blade after Washing to Prevent Rusting
The most important thing you should be aware of is that your knife will rust if you do not take proper care of it. This can begin as soon as the knife is produced, but once your purchase it, you are responsible for its’ life span. Rusted blades dull quickly and make them difficult or even impossible to use. If you want a good quality knife, with a reliable blade, you need to keep up on maintenance tasks like applying oil after each wash and using lubricating oil as well as regular cleaning. How often this needs to be done depends upon how long your weapon stays in your kit bag between uses and what elements it might be exposed to while stored there.
6. Clean Up any Food Residue immediately – Don’t let it sit on the Blade for Too Long
Food residues like oil, sugar, and what-not will attract dirt and other particles that may damage the blade. Always remember to clean it after each use to keep your knife in top-notch condition.
7. Make Sure You Dry Off the Blade Completely
After washing up just towel dry it thoroughly, making sure no water droplets are left on the blade or handle so as not to rust them over time. Never put a wet tactical knife in its sheath.
Conclusion
In the end, it is important to know how to take care of your tactical knife. If you have a blade that has been properly sharpened and maintained through oiling or other means, then you’ll be able to get plenty of use out of it for many years. Just remember not to put too much pressure on the blade when cutting so as not to bend the metal in any way. Keep an eye out for signs of rust along with storing blades away from water if possible. This should help you maintain your knives well into old age!