Damascus Care Instructions

High-carbon steel is used to make the standard and extensively distributed Damascus knives. The Damascus steel knife is stunning and has a long history of being made of high-quality metal. So, additional attention is required for this high-quality blade.

Thus, here are our recommendations for maintaining a Damascus steel knife's aesthetic appeal and usefulness.

Lubricate

Blades made of carbon steel called Damascus can rust if improperly kept. The blade must be dried thoroughly and cleaned to avoid rust or discoloration.

Ensure To Cleanse and Dry Properly

To stop moisture from harming the blade, lube the knife with wax or mineral oil after washing and drying Damascus steel. Doing so may prevent rust from forming on your knife and preserve its exquisite engraving.

You can also use coconut oil, paraffin, or castor oil to keep your Damascus knives lubricated.

Avoid Acids

By being careful where you use your knives, you can take good care of your Damascus steel.

A carbon steel Damascus knife is prone to damage when used on acidic foods (such as fruits), in moist, humid surroundings, or for field dressing games. The oxidation can erase the blade's etching.

Therefore, remember to rinse and dry your knife immediately after using it, being careful not to rub the blade too harshly. The softer material will not drain the blade if you dry it with a microfiber or cotton cloth.

Skip the Abrasives

Despite the fact that Damascus blades are built to endure, using them requires taking specific safety measures. Protecting the appearance and quality of the Damascus steel knives requires avoiding abrasives, such as metal polishes, rough cloths, steel wool, etc.

A metal or abrasive cleaning can erase the fixed oxidation you want on a knife to display the Damascus design.

Put Away Appropriately

Store your steel knife properly and fully dry to protect it. When not in use, it's crucial to keep the Damascus steel knife in a dry area where sudden humidity or temperature shifts will not harm it.

After cleaning and lubricating, your knife will last longer if you store it in a box or protected zipper case.

Chef knives made of Damascus should always be fully cleaned and dried before being stored in a block or magnetic rack.

Ensure not to leave your knife in a moist environment for an extended time when you're out in the field. Avoid keeping your knife, or any knife, for an extended period in a leather sheath since the regular moisture in the air can cause oxidation over time owing to the acids and chemicals used to tan the leather.

However, you can store your knife in the leather sheath after lubricating it (for instance, with Olive Oil or Renaissance Wax) and covering it in a few pieces of cling wrap.

Additionally, watch out for a damp handle; moisture from the handle can cause the blade to rust, so keeping the entire high-carbon knife dry is crucial. If you're keeping Damascus knives with natural handle materials in an enclosed safe or storage space, we strongly recommend against using a dehumidifier bar.

For ANY natural handle material (wood, stag, etc.), extremely low humidity poses a risk and is likely to result in cracking or separation. Materials for synthetic handles are unaffected by humidity.

If your Damascus carbon steel knife developed any rust due to storage circumstances, it could be readily cleaned by wiping the blade with baking soda and vinegar.

Sharpen

Even though Damascus steel knives are known for keeping their edge for a long time, sharpening may often be necessary to maintain effectiveness.

Sharpening hand-crafted Damascus blades do not require any specific methods. A whetstone is an excellent tool for honing a Damascus blade, as it is with all high-quality knives.

Your Damascus steel knife will last much longer if you take proper care of it.