subject: Tips On Cleaning Your Bowie Knife Correctly [print this page] Your Bowie knife is a valuable toolYour Bowie knife is a valuable tool. It offers many different things, ranging from an eye-catching accouterment to a versatile cutting tool. The size, heft and design of your knife all come together to create a unique tool. However, if you do not care for it properly, the lifespan of your blade can be dramatically reduced. How do you ensure that your blade is properly cared for? While storage and handling are important aspects, proper cleaning techniques are vital, as well.
You might think that you can just put your Bowie knife in the dishwasher when the blade becomes solid. However, while this is logical, it is the wrong assumption. Your knife should never be put in the dishwasher. In order to ensure that the blade remains in good condition, you will have to clean it by hand each time it becomes dirty.
So, how do you go about cleaning your blade? Should you simply wet the blade with a bit of water and wipe it down with a paper towel? While water might suffice for some basic cleaning, you should never leave the blade in contact with water for any length of time. For a real cleaning, you should invest in some decent knife-cleaning compound, which you can purchase online, or at almost any decent sporting goods store. Apply the compound to a soft cloth and then begin cleaning the blade. Make sure that the spine of the blade is against the palm of your hand, and work your way from the cross guard down toward the tip of the blade. Make sure you are very careful around the edges, they're sharp!
You can also choose to polish your blade after cleaning it. While many cleaning compounds also promise to polish the blade at the same time, many people choose to use a separate application of polishing compound, with either a soft cloth or a buffing wheel to increase the shine of the Bowie knife blade. Once polished, make sure that you wipe the blade clean of dirt after each use.
Another part of keeping your Bowie knife clean and ready to use is proper storage. If you use your knife on a daily basis, then storing it in a leather sheath is a decent option. However, for longer-term storage, invest in an airtight container. Leather can wick moisture from the air, causing rust to form on your blade should you leave it in the sheath for very long periods.
