My knife is rusting, what should I do?Updated 3 months ago

There is still hope! The steel in your new knife is high in carbon and is at risk for light rust. The care for high carbon steel is similar to the care of a cast iron pot. If rust starts showing up then follow these steps.

1. Start with a clean, dry blade.

2. Apply white vinegar and scrub with a cloth. This process may be repeated until the rust is gone. You may need some elbow grease for deeper rust. 

3. Throughly wash the knife with warm soapy water.

4. Dry the blade thoroughly with a soft towel.

5. Give the whole knife a healthy coating of mineral oil.

If you have rust forming on your knife there is a high chance the knife has either not been dried or oiled properly. Steps 3-5 is the normal care routine that the knife should go through every time you use it. If you are not following a proper care routine, your knife will keep rusting. An easy way to stay on top of keeping a healthy knife is to keep a paper towel or rag with oil near by while cooking so it's easy to wipe the knife down real quick every now and then. We also sell oil in a spray bottle to keep it easy and handy in the kitchen, You received a sample of this oil with the purchase of your knives.

If you have been taking care of your blade properly and feel like you are still seeing rust, it's likely not actually rust but rather the knife's patina starting to form. Building a patina is a normal and necessary process for high carbon steel. It adds to the character of the knife and aids the steel in rust prevention. Your knife will form unique patterns and color ways as you use it and will become more lenient on maintenance. It will look a little splotchy at first but will even out as you use it. If you want to skip this phase and go straight to a full patina, you can learn how to force a patina in the article below.