An EDC (or everyday carry) knife is essentially a small knife that you carry in your tool kit or if you spend time outdoors. A quality EDC knife is a handy tool that can be used to various tasks from fixing to preparing food.
Today, we’ll talk about the key measures that should be taken to keep your EDC blade in good working order for the long haul.
Test it out of the box
Although most knives are sharpened to a certain degree, however, at times they also come without being sharpened so it’s always a good idea to test a new knife to get an idea whether the edge is sharp enough to your liking.
There are a couple of easy ways to test a new or any blade, for that matter. One, you can take a piece of paper and run the knife along its edge. If the knife is sharp enough it should be able to slice through the paper without any resistance.
Secondly, you can also run the new knife along your forearm hair and if the knife is taking off the hair without any discomfort then your knife is good to go out of the box.
Sharpening your EDC blade
With continued use, your EDC knife will eventually need to be sharpened. Many people tend to leave the sharpening until the blade is almost blunt. That’s a good way to cut the knife’s life in half. In most cases, an EDC knife will be used less often than a typical kitchen knife, which is used multiple times a day. To start off, it’s a good idea to examine your EDC sharpness every 3 weeks or so.
When it comes to the sharpening technique, it’s quite similar to how a typical kitchen is sharpened. A few passes over a pre-soaked whetstone should be enough to revitalize the edge of your EDC knife.
Cleaning & lubricating is just as important
It’s likely that debris will stick to your knife. You may be tempted to sand it off but be warned that an abrasive method could damage your blade. Dab a cotton ball in WD-40 and give your EDC a good wipe. It’ll get rid of debris and grime.
Once you’re done with cleaning, make sure to lubricate since an EDC knife has several moving parts and hinges, which will require regular lubrication. It’s best to use synthetic oil. Organic oils such as vegetable oil can actually hinder the knife’s performance because it attracts dirt more easily.
Proper storage
You don’t need a wooden storage block for a folding EDC knife. That said, it doesn’t mean you can neglect the storage best practices. To start off, keep it away from dampness, store in a dry place. Also, if you plan to store your EDC blade for a longer period then remove it from its sheath as it can store moisture over time, which will rust the blade.
