benfollett

Collecting knives can be an exciting hobby! If you are a passionate knife collector, just as important as finding the blades to grow your collection is keeping them in tip top shape. A well maintained and sharpened knife makes for a beautiful display piece. Knife maintenance will also keep them in working order if you happen to use them for daily tasks.

Read on as we discuss our best knife care tips to help you maintain excellent performance, the difference between sharpening and honing your knives, and the different types of sharpening stones.

Tool Talk: The Best Implements for Knife Sharpening

If your knife is simply a collectible item for display, you may not need to sharpen it very often, if at all. However, if it’s a knife that gets some use, regular sharpening is very important. A dull knife can be hazardous, as you are more likely to slip and cut yourself with a dull knife.

Honing vs Sharpening

When it comes to knives, there are actually two different practices: honing your knife, and sharpening your knife. Honing your knife doesn’t actually sharpen the knife. Rather, it recalibrates the blade back to it’s original design. The tool that comes with your kitchen knives is actually a honing device, rather than a sharpener.

How to Hone Your Knife

It’s important to hone your knife after each use, especially if it is a kitchen knife that gets regular use. To do so, start by holding the steel rod so it’s pointing away from you. Place the heel of the knife flush against the rod. Your tip will point out at a 20 degree angle. Slowly guide the knife downward, keeping the same angle. Once you’ve done this, every part of your blade should have touched the steel rod. Repeat this process about 8-10 times for both sides of the edge of the knife. Finally, wipe the knife down with a clean towel to remove any steel remnants.

How to Sharpen Your Knife

To maintain sharp knives, you don’t need to sharpen your knife blade as often as you hone it. Check whether a knife needs to be sharpened by slicing a piece of paper. A sharp knife will easily slide through the paper, and that means it doesn’t not need to be sharpened.

You can keep your knives sharp at home or you can have a pro sharpen your knife professionally. If you choose to keep your blades sharp at home, you can purchase a sharpening stone for the purpose.

Apply the right pressure: When sharpening at home, remember to apply more pressure on the knife than you think you need to use. To test the amount of pressure you are applying, press down on a kitchen scale until it says 4-6 pounds. That is the amount of pressure you should be applying.

Sharpen at the correct angle: Also, keep in mind that you need to sharpen your the blade of your knife at the correct angle. Depending on the knife, that will be 10 or 20 degrees for each side of the blade edge.

Sparkle and Slide: Cleaning and Lubricating Your Blades

Keeping your precious knife collection clean and sparkling is an important part of knife maintenance. Follow these tips to properly clean your knives:

Clean Your Knife After Every Use

Don’t use your knife multiple times without cleaning it, especially if it’s a kitchen knife. Be sure to clean it carefully after every use so it’s bright and ready for next time.

Wash Your Knife in Soapy Water

You hand wash your knife using a mild soap and hot water. Again, wash immediately after each use to prevent any build-up.

Dry Your Knife Right Away

Be sure to dry your knives after washing, to prevent corrosion.

Stay Sharp: Pro Tips for Rust Prevention on Knives

Rust prevention for knives is important! If they are left wet or damp, rust and other types of corrosion can easily wreak havoc. The best way to prevent rust is to dry your knives completely and immediately after washing.

Also, avoid using the dishwasher to clean your knives – even if they belong in the kitchen. The dishwasher can do a lot of damage both to the blade and to the knife handle.

Blade’s Best Friend: Storing Your Knives

A big part of caring for your knives is displaying them correctly! Storing them improperly can cause damage to the knife, and they can chip, break, or become dull. For kitchen knives, use a knife block. You can also find a knife rack, a magnetic strip, or a knife carrying case to keep your treasured knives safe.

Stone Age: Guide to Selecting Sharpening Stones

Sharpening stones come in a variety of types, grades, grits, and shapes. Here is a quick and easy guide to the different stones that are available!

Types of Sharpening Stones

Water stones: These tones work well using water as a lubricant during the sharpening process.

Japanese Sharpening Stones: Considered to be very high quality, these stones have been crafted for hundreds of years from a silica-rich stone. You typically place them in water for up to an hour before using them.

Arkansas Stones: These are mind from novaculite, which is a variety of quartz. They got their name because they are minded in the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas.

Dry Sharpening Stones: This refers to types of sharpening stone, including those made from ceramic or industrial diamond, that don’t require lubrication.

Oil Stones: Oil stones are natural stones that use oil as a lubricant during use.

Grades of Sharpening Stones

There are five grades of sharpening stones, with coarser stones being use for heavy work like reshaping a damage blade and finer stones being use for light polishing.

• Coarse
• Coarse/Fine
• Medium
• Fine
• Super Fine

Grit Size for Sharpening Stones

Grit size indicates the smoothness of the finish that the stone will produce. The higher the number, the more fine the finish.

• 200: Used for reshaping a damage blade
• 500: Adding a rough edge to a blunt blade
• 1,000: Adding a medium edge with some cutting power
• 4,000: Creating a fine edge
• 8,000: Creating a very fine edge
• 30,000: Adding a smooth, mirror-like finish to your blade

Shapes of Sharpening Stones

Stones for maintaining a sharp knife come in four different shapes, including rectangular, round, square, and triangular.

Square stones are best for small items. Triangular stones are great for fine work, and round stones help to sharpen rounded tools.

FAQ

What are the key steps in maintaining a sharp and rust-free knife?

Clean your knife, keep your knife dry, and hone and sharpen your knife as needed.

How do honing and sharpening differ in knife care?

Honing helps mold the knife back to it’s original shape, while sharpening sharpens a dull blade and removes some of the steel. You can sharpen and hone your knife at home, or opt for a professional tune up.

Which tools are indispensable for comprehensive knife maintenance?

You’ll need a sharpening stone to sharpen a knife, unless you plan on having a professional sharpen your knifes. You’ll also need a honing rod.

Sources

https://www.asweetpeachef.com/cooking-101-proper-knife-care/

https://www.koiknives.com/blogs/news_updates/7-tips-for-knife-care-and-maintaining-your-knife-in-2022

https://food52.com/blog/16536-9-knife-care-tips-we-learned-from-a-master-bladesmith

https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Knife-Care-Tips/cms/knifecaretips

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/content/discovery/ideas-and-advice/sharpening-stones-guide

The world of knife collecting can be an exciting one! Knives as tools have been around for thousands of years or more, and have evolved from the crude stone knives of the early days to the stainless steel blades that we have today.

Follow along as we explore the knife world and our best tips for starting a knife collection, how to care for your knives, the top nine knives that every enthusiast should know about, and more!

From Flint to Steel: A Brief History of Knife Making and Collecting

The first known knives are believed to have existed during prehistoric times, and they were made from flint or obsidian. Of course, these early primitive knives have since evolved and become the knives that we have available today! The early knives were used for creating clothing, sharpening tools, and as weapons.

Ancient Egyptians crafted bronze blades that were sharper than stone ones. Knives were used as a tool, but crafting them was also considered an art form, with beautiful designs being crafted from gold or silver.

Over the years, knives came to be crafted from sturdy steel, with became easily available and allowed for better craftsmanship of these tools. During the second world war, knives were mass produced for the military, which produced a knife that was quality but could still be made cheaply. Today’s knives are mass produced and range from kitchen knives to tactical blades.

First Slice: Knife Collecting Basics for Beginners

Looking to dive in to the world of knife collecting? We’re here to help you get started! Read on for some of our best tips to help you get a good collection started.

Follow trends in knife collecting: Find online or in-person groups where you can connect with other collectors and learn the ins and outs of knife collecting. This is a great way to learn more about the hobby!

Learn which knifemakers are popular: Get familiar with knife brands and learn which ones are the most popular – and why. This will help you make smart choices when it comes to building a quality collection.

Select brands with good customer services: Purchase knives from brands that offer solid customer service. This can make a huge difference when repairs are needed!

Do your research: Learn about different brands, as well as different styles of knives. Talk to fellow collectors and really get to know the hobby!

Have a budget: Determine how much money you can afford to invest in your knife collection, and select knives that fall within that budget.

Collect intentionally: A great way to start a collection is to determine a niche that you are interested in. Find out which style of knife you are drawn to, and focus your collection on that type of knife!

Attend knife shows: A great way to educate yourself and connect with fellow collectors is to attend knife shows. Some popular shows include the BLADE Show, The New York Custom Knife Show, and The USN Show.

Collector’s Choice: 9 Must-Have Knives for Every Enthusiast

Buck 110 Folding Hunter: No other pocket knife has been copied more frequently then the Buck 110 Folding Hunter. This pocket knife is made in the USA and is very recognizable for it’s sleek design.

Opinel No. 08 Pocket Knife: This French-made knife is produced since 1890. It was intended for farmers in the region to use, but now it’s available to anyone. The company Opinel produces over 15 million knives annually!

Benchmade Mini-Griptilian Pocket Knife: Benchmade produces many top quality knives, and this particular model stands out as being a high quality pocket knife, which works for both right and left handed users.

Mora Compansion Heavy Duty MG Carbon: An excellent starter knife, this is a good knife that can be purchased at an affordable price. It works well for bushcrafters, who frequently have one of these knives in their collection.

Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 31 Plain Drop Point: This particular knife has had an enormous impact of the world of knives. The knife started a trend of the titanium framelock folder.

Victorinox Huntsan 1.3713 Red, Swiss Army Knife: This pocket knife has two blades, scissors, a saw, tweezers, a bottle opener, screwdrivers, and more, making it a great multipurpose knife that any collector should be proud to own.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 C81GP2 Pocket Knife: A very popular EDC pocketknife, this option has a thin profile which allows you to discreetly stash it in your pocket. It also has finger grooves that help with your grip.

Higonokami Pocket Knife 7 CM HIGO09: Produced in Japan by blacksmiths, this simple knife is quite affordable, and made from easy to sharpen carbon steel.

KA-BAR USMC 1217 Plain Edge, Leather: This is a marine knife from World War II, and has been used by armed forces in multiple wars since then.

Timeless Treasures: Caring for and Maintaining Collectible Knives

As important as amassing an impressive collection of knives is knowing how to care for them properly. Here are a few important care tips to consider:

• For starters, keep your knife blades completely dry, avoiding any moisture that could cause corrosion.
• Wipe them with a soft cloth, and consider applying a coat of wax or oil for extra protection.
• Use a metal polish or cleaner to remove any stains.
• You can also use sandpaper to slough away rust.
• Finally, be sure to sharpen the blade of your knife if it’s one that you plan to use.

Display with Pride: Expert Tips for Showcasing Your Knife Collection

When it comes to storing or displaying an impressive knife collection, it’s important to do your collection justice! Here are some clever ways that you can store and/or display the knives you are proud of.

Knife Bags

If you enjoy carrying your knives with you, you might opt for a knife bag. These come in a variety of sizes and are made of materials such as leather, vinyl, canvas, and polyester. They often have shoulder straps that allow you to easily carry them.

Knife Rolls

Knife rolls allow you to store your knives rolled up in a bundle. This allows you to protect your knives in a space saavy way.

Display Case

If you prefer to keep your collection at home, you may choose a display case to show off your collection of knives. A curio or custom casing could create a dazzling display.

Protective Case

You can store your knives in a protective case with a lock for extra security. This can add an additional layer of safety if needed.

Magnets

You can also display your knives on magnetic knife strips, which keep them easily accessible. This is a common display option for kitchen knives.

FAQ

What are the key steps to take when starting a knife collection?

Educate yourself, connect with other collectors, and determine a niche you’d like to focus on. Then, set a budget and start purchasing knives for your collection!

How can I ensure the longevity and preservation of my knives?

Care for your knives well to ensure that they last! Keep your blades dry and free of rust, polish off any stains, remove rust with sandpaper, and sharpen your knife, if you plan on using it.

Which knife brands are considered the most collectible and why?

Popular brands include Opinel, Benchmade, Mora, and Chris Reeve.

Sources

https://blademag.com/knife-collecting/how-to-collect-knives

https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/ct/9-must-have-knives.htm

https://exquisiteknives.com/caring-collectible-knife/

https://exquisiteknives.com/history-of-knife-making/

https://exquisiteknives.com/storing-or-displaying-your-knife-collection/

Firearms are more than just weapons. Often, they can become a pop culture symbol, especially when they make repeat appearances in television and film. Guns have been appearing in films since the movie industry began, and with that comes a rich history, as well as many associations with different type of iconic firearms.

Read on as we explore the most common guns that appear in films, some myths that tv and movies can perpetuate about guns, the difference between prop guns and real guns, and much more!

Firearms in Film: From Holster to Hollywood

Guns that appear in movies often reach the level of becoming iconic. For example, there are different styles of guns that we associate with westerns, gangsters, and assassins. Movies have been depicting characters with guns since they beginning of film history, and over the years the we’ve seen everything from the Beretta to the AK47 on the Hollywood silver screen.

Lights, Camera, Firearms: The Most Common Guns in Movies

There are certain guns that seem to make appearances in various Hollywood films time and time again. Read on to learn about the top ten guns that have commonly made appearances in American pop culture.

The Desert Eagle

This popular gun has made appearances in “The Year of the Dragon”, “Commando”, and “The Last Action Hero.” It has appeared in over 500 tv shows and films.

The Smith & Wesson Model 29

This weapon was popularized in contemporary culture by Clint Eastwood in the film “Dirty Harry.” The film made this gun iconic!

The Heckler and Koch MP5

This German submachine gun often shows up in movies where people are shooting at terrorists.

The M4/M16

This gun is associated with the American military, and has become symbolic of the American soldier.

The AK47

This rugged weapon often makes appearances in films, including “Heartbreak Ridge,” starring Clint Eastwood.

Beretta Model 92

In the 1980s, Bruce Willis used this gun in “Die Hard”, Mel Gibson used one in “Lethal Weapon”, and Chow-Yun-Fat used two in “A Better Tomorrow”, making this weapon a cultural phenomenon.

M134 Minigun

This gun has made an appearance in many a modern action movie and video games.

Colt Detective Special

This classic Colt model has made appearances in “White Heat”, “The Big Sleep”, and “The Godfather.”

Colt Peacemaker

This gun has become synonymous with the American cowboy in many western movies.

Walther PPK

This firearm is known in popular culture for it’s association with spies and the secret service.

Pop Culture Gun Myths vs. Reality

When it comes to guns and their portrayal in pop culture, sometimes what you see on TV doesn’t reflect reality. Let’s explore some common gun myths perpetuated by television and movies, as well as what the reality actually looks like.

Myth: People get sent flying backward when they are shot

In many movies, you’ll see the bad guy flying backward after being shot with a gun. This cinematic trope is simply meant to add drama to a film. In reality, a bullet is too small and doesn’t have enough momentum to send anyone flying. In fact, if a bullet had that much force, then the recoil of the gun would cause the shooter to fly in the opposite direction.

Myth: A dropped gun will be caused to fire

Many people are nervous about their guns firing after accidentally dropping them, but this is nearly impossible. In order for this to happen, there would have to be a mechanical failure in the gun, which isn’t very common.

Myth: Bullets always spark when fires

While sparks can add a dramatic effect to gun scenes in pop culture movies, they do not occur in real life when a gun is fired. Occasionally steel ammunition could spark, but this is very uncommon.

Myth: A rifle can be shot right after assembly

Often in films, you’ll see a shooter open their case and put together a sniper rifles, taking immediate aim at their target and shooting them. In reality, the gun needs to be sighted after assembly, so immediately shooting someone would not be possible.

From the Wild West to Outer Space: Fictional Firearms from Sci-Fi Features

While many movies depict actual firearms, sci-fi movies tend to go for a more futuristic look for their weapons. Still, the weapons must be inspired by something!

Star Wars

In Star Wars, the rifles that were used by the Rebel Alliance at the Battle of Hoth were based on a German assault rifle called the StG 44. Han Solo fires a DL-44, based on the Mauser C96 “Broomhandle.”

Star Trek

In Star Trek, you’ll find guns such as Colt Single Action Army models and the Colt Model 1878. Star Trek was pitched as a western set in outer space, and the weapons used are reflective of this.

The Tommy Gun’s Impact on U.S. History: Lights, Camera, Action!

The Thompson submachine gun, also known as the Tommy Gun, is an iconic weapon that has had an impact on cinema, and on American history. The gun was created by General John T. Thompson during World War I, intended as a trench busting tool. The Tommy Gun featured a compact design and a high fire rate. It was the perfect gun for close-quarters combat.

World War I ended before this gun could be mass-produced for the military. In the following few years, the manufacturer decided to sell the Tommy Gun on the civilian market, targeting law enforcement agencies, ranchers, and private security firms. The high price of this weapon contributed to it’s poor commercial success.

However, the tide began to turn in the 1920s, when the Mafia become more prominent. Prohibition led to an underground market for alcohol. This forbidden trade let to confrontations between gangs, and the Tommy Gun came to be viewed as the ideal weapon for these confrontations.

The popularity of the gun led to one of the first gun laws, the National Firearms Act of 1934, which made it impossible for civilians and gangsters to legally get their hands on a Tommy Gun.

Today, the familiar silhouette of the Tommy Gun is synonymous with the American gangster in a Hollywood film. This gun appears in films such as “The Public Enemy” (1931), “Scarface” (1932), “The Untouchables” (1987), and “Road to Perdition” (2002).

FAQ

Why are certain guns more commonly used in movies and TV?

Guns are used in movies and TV for dramatic effect, as well as for their iconic status.

Sources

https://thehubaz.com/blog/debunking-pop-culture-gun-myths/

https://sofrep.com/news/from-bloodshed-to-blockbusters-how-the-tommy-gun-conquered-hollywood-and-pop-culture/

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/top-ten-guns-of-american-pop-culture/

https://centerofthewest.org/2022/08/18/firearms-pop-culture/