Just ordered my first Esee. How to maintain the blade?

[Cwalk4040]

Never been a big knife guy but I saw the other post of somebody purchasing their first Esee and became interested. Well ive had some down time at work so ive been researching a new knife purchase to carry with me in the woods this year. Started looking at Esee and ended up ordering a tan plain edge Esee 3 and a all black partially serrated Esee 4. Just hope the wife doesnt find out.

How to I store/ maintain the carbon steel blades?

 

[Mentos]

What the wife don't know... Can't hurt you, yet.

Good deal! These are some great blades. You won't be disappointed. Just be sure you dry lube or protect the edge and metal parts if you are leaving it in storage or in damp environments.

 

[bsmith104]

Mentors, do you have any Recs on dry lube and your strategy for protecting them? Is the sheath ok?

 

[bsmith104]

Sorry to hijack but I got my first ESEE recently and the info could help us both!

 

[Cwalk4040]

Mentors, do you have any Recs on dry lube and your strategy for protecting them? Is the sheath ok?

Its fine and a good question. Like I said im new to knives so I would like to know as well

 

[ReganR6]

What the wife don't know... Can't hurt you, yet.

Until she murders him with his brand new knife!

 

[Mentos]

I use stuff that is meant or bike chains. It is called lightning lube 7bucks at a performance bike shop. I like it becauwe it Goes on wet and dries milky white. It ahderes pretty good. With enough use I am sure I will need to do it again, but I have not abused it enough these last few months to really see.


I would not worry about the sheath, it will loosen up a weeeee bit over time. Makes drawing a bit easier. The lube helps a bit but not rally all that noticeable.

 

[Mentos]

Backwoods.. Chime in here!

 

[Cwalk4040]

...

 

[BackWoods]

Keep it nice and sharp! It's easy to do! Simply "DONT LeT IT GET DULL!" Everytime I use a knife, whether it be for opening a box or cutting a tree limb, I always go home and strop it at the end of the day. Stropping will help unless the blade was used really heavily and then you'll need to bring the edge back more than likely. Carbon steel is pretty tough and might take a while to bring the edge back. My strop consists of an old belt with Mothers metal polish(there are better ideas but, there are also less useful). Stropping will keep that nice edge polished up. Letting it get dull just takes a lot more time to get it back.

Think of it like your firearms. When you shoot em, you wanna go clean em and keep em nice and clean so, they stay more functional.

The only other maintenance I use is Remoil. I spray and wipe immediately to remove grime and then spray and leave for about and hour and then wipe the excess off. If it's a folder, I also squirt a dab down in the pivot area between the scales, with the blade closed, then open 90degrees and then fully locked. Just keeps the washers etc. nice and lubed and assured smoother opening.

For my higher end blades(which seem to be deminishing, lol), I froglube them so, I never have to do anything except wipe with a lint free rag(cut up old white t-shirts work great. Also good for gun rags)

My strop

Rubbing compound(good brand if you like the mirrored/polished look)