Use it or lose it.
You may have heard photographers use the phrase “The best camera is the one that you have with you.” We believe this to be the same with your knife. The more you have your blade with you, the more useful it will become. A knife that is carried every day, cared for, and well-maintained is one that you'll have for a lifetime. The knife that spends its life in a drawer is the one missing when you need it most.
Follow these simple steps to keep your knife on-point when you need it. Take care of your blade and it will take care of you.
1. Keep it sharp.
Keep your knife sharp all the time. This is rule #1 for a reason – the sharper your blade the less physical force is required to complete tasks. There are many tools and techniques for keeping your knife sharp; learn the one that works best for you. You should sharpen your own knives whenever possible.
2. Keep it clean and dry.
If you get your knife wet, take a towel to it. All metals will corrode when wet for extended periods of time. Keep the grit and dirt out of your knife, especially out of the primary pivot area. If it moves, it needs to be clean, dry, and lubricated.
3. Keep it lubricated.
Keep your knife properly lubricated. There are a lot of different kinds of lubricant out there, and you can choose the one the works best for you. We recommend something light and low grit, applied periodically to keep your knife's moving parts operating smoothly.
Know Your Knife : Construction
The first step in knowing what style of knife you need is understanding its construction and locking classification. Start with identifying whether your tasks require a locking or non-locking blade, then determine the appropriate version of that knife to suit your daily use.
Frame Lock
See it on the Chapter
A frame lock knife is a high-end precision locking blade, simplified to require fewer parts. A relief cut in the lock side scale slides inward, engaging with the blade’s tang when open, locking it securely and safely with minimal moving pieces to maintain.
Liner Lock
See it on the Folsom
Liner-lock knives are defined by the steel internal liners that interface with the blade’s tang to lock it open. Liner-locks can be shrouded in unique materials, like G10, to give them a new look and functional advantages for grip and durability.
Slip-Joint Lock
See it on the Pike
A slipjoint is one of the oldest non-locking folding knife constructions. Using a spring bar around a pivot pin, a spacer holds the blade open and closed, flexing up and down as you transition from state to state
Know Your Knife : Blade Steel
No material is more important to your knife than blade steel; it defines quality and function. There are many of types of blade steels, below are the ones that work best for us and our everyday needs.
Damascus (108 Layers)
See it on the Chapter
Damascus steel works as amazing as it looks. It’s created by taking two types of steel, a soft and hard, and folding them over many times. The resulting layers work together to make a refined yet powerful blended steel that can be finely sharpened.
D2 Steel
See it on the Chapter
D2 steel has great rust resistance due to its high chromium content. It’s a tough, durable stainless steel that will retain its sharp edge during your daily tasks time and time again.
Carpenter CTS-BD1
See it on the Folsom
Carpenter CTS-BD1 steel is melted in a vacuum making its cutting edge retention higher than others. This steel behaves similar to the tool steels in hardness and wear resistance.
Sandvik 12C27
See it on the County
Sandvik 12C27 is a clean steel with amazing performance, highlighted by its ability to reach a razor sharp edge, exceptional toughness, and good corrosion resistance.
Know Your Knife : Blade Shape
With knife blade shapes, form follows function. Whether you are opening a box, whittling a stick, or cutting a rope, it’s important to know what shape will get the job done.
Drop Point
See it on the Folsom
The drop point blade is one of the most common blade shapes. It’s versatile in everyday use, with a robust yet sharp point and cutting edge that’s easy to maintain.
Modified Straight Back
See it on the County
A modified straight back has been around since man first made tools. This blade is best for slicing and cutting and is extremely easy to maintain for daily use.
Tanto
See it on the Chapter
The tanto blade has a strong point that will not break. From prying to scraping and even acting as a flathead screwdriver, it will work well to get a number of jobs done.
Know Your Knife : Edge Type
Edge type refers to the cutting edge on your blade. Depending on the task at hand, different edge types are needed. The best option for you depends on what your needs are most often.
Straight Blade
See it on the County
A straight blade is the most common knife edge. Its function is universal and effective – good for slicing, cutting, and push cutting. A straight edge is very easy to maintain and sharpen, making it a great option everyday carry.
Serrated Blade
See it on the Chapter
A serrated edge gives you ripping power when cutting through a rope or cuts that require more of a sawing motion. Our blades are partially serrated, so you get some straight edge, but also some serration. Partially serrated knives work well in the wilderness because of their well-rounded function.