Care and maintenance of Damascus steel

Caring for a Damascus steel blade is much the same as for a Carbon steel blade - moisture is the enemy. Once the blade has built up a patina it is much more forgiving, but a fresh Carbon steel based blade will begin to rust in a heartbeat.

Never, ever:

• Leave the blade resting in standing water
• Rest the blade on a damp tea towel, wash cloth, etc
• Wash in a dishwasher

To help your Damascus steel knife become a heirloom, there are only a few things you need to do.

After use:

• Rinse clean under running water and wipe dry with a clean cloth
• Lightly oil using food safe oil
• Store in a dry place

While your blade is still developing a patina, it is a good idea to quickly wipe the blade down before moving on to a food preparation task not involving the knife.

Oiling

A common mistake when oiling a blade is to use something like olive oil that will go rancid. We recommend mineral oil, as it is food safe, cheap, and readily available.

Washing

Many people new to Damascus steel knives approach washing their blades with trepidation. Cleaning your knife is straightforward: rinse it under running water, give it a wipe with a lightly soapy dish sponge, rinse it again and wipe dry. If you’re familiar with the term “Bachelor Wash” (or can decipher the connotation), this is all it takes.