| Any hunting expert will tell you that you should | | | | too much can attract more dirt and grime on |
| clean your hunting knife after every use to keep | | | | your blade. Even some knife handles should be |
| it in tip-top shape. Any dirt, blood, or fingerprints | | | | oiled to take care of your hunting knife. If your |
| can dull your blade and cause it to rust and | | | | knife has a wooden handle, you can use linseed oil |
| corrode. This is very important for folding knives, | | | | or mink oil for your leather knife handle. |
| so that you prevent more dirt and grime from | | | | It is also important to sharpen your hunting knife |
| getting inside the handle. | | | | on a regular basis with a sharpening tool. A dull |
| If you cannot clean your knife immediately, it's a | | | | knife may actually be more dangerous, so make |
| good rule-of-thumb that you at least wipe it down | | | | sure you check that out at least every couple of |
| until you get home and are able to clean your | | | | uses. |
| hunting knife more thoroughly. | | | | Finally, it is important to store your hunting knife |
| Begin by washing your knife with soap and water | | | | appropriately. The most critical piece of storing |
| or putting it in the dishwasher. If you seem to | | | | your knife, it to make sure there is no moisture |
| have difficulty getting some blood off the knife, | | | | to create that unwanted rust. Make sure your |
| using some bleach or other solvent should help | | | | knife is thoroughly dry before you put it away. |
| break down the blood. If you have any difficulty | | | | Although some knives come in leather sheaths, |
| with cleaning off fingerprints, it is best to use a | | | | the leather can absorb moisture and maintain a |
| combination of salt and vinegar, along with a clean | | | | moist environment for the knife. It would be |
| wine cork. Just be careful not to press too hard | | | | better to store in a nylon sheath or to wrap it in |
| to prevent marking up the blade. | | | | plain paper and store in a plastic bag with a |
| Next, it is recommended that you oil your knife | | | | desiccant, such as silica gel, calcium sulfate, or |
| after each use, especially to keep moving parts | | | | calcium chloride. |
| working properly on folding knives. Although there | | | | I hope this helps to maintain your hunting knife. |
| is oil specifically sold for knives, using any | | | | Following these simple tasks will keep your knife is |
| multi-purpose oil, such as WD40, will work just | | | | working order for years to come. |
| fine. Make sure you use the oil sparingly, because | | | | |