| Bowie knives are beautiful, useful tools. They can | | | | Never do this, as it can actually harm your knife. |
| be the centerpiece of a knife display, or they can | | | | You need to make certain that you use a cleaning |
| be utilitarian tools that help you accomplish | | | | paste devised specifically for knife blades and a |
| numerous mundane tasks. If you find that you | | | | clean, soft cloth. Work the paste down the blade, |
| actually use your knife, it's quite possible that the | | | | from the hilt toward the tip. Be very careful near |
| blade will become soiled (it's expected, actually). | | | | the edge of the blade, an incautious touch can |
| However, in order to keep your knife in the best | | | | result in a serious injury. |
| condition possible and to prolong its useful life, you | | | | Once the blade has been cleaned, you might |
| need to know a bit more about care and | | | | decide to polish it a bit. A polishing compound and |
| maintenance. How do you go about cleaning your | | | | a soft cloth are all you really need here, though a |
| knife? | | | | rotary tool with a buffing pad can also be used to |
| First, it's important that you understand why you | | | | great results. Regardless, make sure that you |
| should care for your knife properly. You might be | | | | always clean the blades of your Bowie knives to |
| under the impression that Bowie knives need little | | | | avoid any rust spots getting started on the knife. |
| or no care at all. This is not the truth. Like any | | | | Finally, when it comes to storing Bowie knives, |
| other knife, these blades must be maintained in | | | | there are two different schools of thought. Many |
| order to avoid rust, discoloration, dull blades and | | | | people assume that keeping the blade stored in a |
| other problems. This is true even if you have a | | | | leather sheath is sufficient. While this will work fine |
| knife with a blade made of surgical stainless steel. | | | | for ordinary use, where the blade is cleaned on a |
| Without the proper care, you will find that your | | | | regular basis, it is not the right option if your knife |
| blade becomes an eyesore, rather than something | | | | will not see use for some time. In this case, you |
| of which you can be proud. | | | | should store your blade in an airtight container to |
| Next, when cleaning Bowie knives, you might be | | | | avoid moisture seeping through the leather sheath. |
| tempted to put your blade in the dishwasher. | | | | |