Camping Knives Care and Maintenance Tips

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All experienced campers know how important keeping your knives maintained is. A knife is one of the most important tools to bring with you on a camping trip, as it has a lot more uses than the average person is aware of. Keeping the knife properly maintained might mean the difference between a good a bad and a bad trip, and in some cases, it might even save your life. There is no playing games with nature, which is why you should be well-prepared when it comes to camping knife maintenance.

Store them Properly

Knife sheath
Source: woodlanderleather.co.uk

One of the most important aspects of keeping your knives safe and sound is storing them properly. Not only does it help with maintaining the blade’s quality, but it’s also a great thing to do if you want to keep the children from any harm. After all, knives can be dangerous and no child should be playing with one. However, storing it randomly will rarely, if ever, work. That’s the main reason why sheaths are among the most popular knife accessories because they’re amazing not for only keeping the knife handy on your person, but also keeping it neatly tucked away. So when you’re considering proper storage for the knife while also looking for knives accessories for sale, you’ll never go wrong with a good sheath. They’re handy to have and can also have amazing aesthetics. On top of that, they keep the knife safe from the elements which is incredibly important.

Use it Only for Cutting

Outdoor knife
Source: popularmechanics.com

A huge mistake a lot of people do is use their knife as a sort of multi-tool when they’re camping. While it’s true that a knife can technically be used for other things than cutting, but that doesn’t mean that you should. Just because the handle looks blunt that doesn’t mean you can use it as a hammer. Even a few light taps on a nail can severely damage the handle which would make the knife entirely useless. The last thing you want to do is make yourself so vulnerable on a camping trip as being without a knife would make you. Knives also shouldn’t be used as screwdrivers even if it seems like such an easy thing to do. Screwing screws can greatly damage the blade and even break off chunks, and that’s something you want to avoid at all costs. We also shouldn’t even mention that prying off things with a knife should be out of the question.

Keep it Clean

Cleaning a knife
Source: hiconsumption.com

Keeping knives clean is no simple task. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they’re trying to clean their knives is submerging them in liquid so as to clean them thoroughly. That’s a huge mistake because not only is it quite inefficient as a cleaning method, but it also causes the blade to rust extremely quickly. Rust is a huge problem if you don’t clean your knife because it can destroy it from the inside out. You should wipe the blade with a clean rag and even try to reach those hard to reach spots. If you’re confident you can safely take it apart, maybe you should also consider that so as to clean the knife thoroughly. If not, there is always the solution of using sprays and aerosol cleaning products. They work pretty much instantaneously and are amazing.

Keep it from Rusting

Putting oil on a knife
Source: knifegenie.com

Rust is an enormous issue with knives. They’re metal, so that means it’s only natural for them to begin rusting at some point but that doesn’t mean that it’s unpreventable. On the contrary, rust can not only be prevented but can also be removed, provided the knife isn’t entirely rusted. To prevent rust pretty much all you have to do is keep it clean and dry. That’s why you should always keep it as clean as possible and in a place without a lot of moisture. If your knife indeed starts rusting, then you should consider applying specific oils that remove the rust, or you can use things like abrasive sponges to directly remove the rust. There are quite a few other methods that can work, which is why you should experiment to see which one works best with your knife. In any case, rust is something you want to avoid at all costs.

General Safety Tips

Using camping knife
Source: globosurfer.com

Safety should always be a concern for anyone that handles a knife. Even if you have years of experience handling knives, that’s no reason to be negligent. If you’re using a knife, always make sure that you’re thoughtful about it.

  • Don’t ever apply force towards you or others.
  • Catching a falling knife is a bad idea. Just wait until it’s on the ground, and even try to avoid it as it’s falling.
  • When you’re handing a knife to someone else, always do it with the handle towards them. Never throw a knife at someone even if the blade isn’t exposed.
  • When you’re using a knife, always be sure to be in a well-lit area.
  • If you don’t have the expertise, don’t try to repair the knife on your own. Always give it to professionals if you’re unsure.
  • Knife injury should always be treated immediately. Apply the first-aid kit first, and then immediately seek medical assistance if necessary.