Filet knives and other fishing knives, especially those that see use around saltwater, naturally experience more abuse than most other knives. 

On top of that, they are special tools and if you don’t care for them properly, they just won’t do what you need them to do when you need them to do it. 

With that said, here are 4 tips for keeping your filet knives (and other fishing knives) in top shape, protecting your investment.

1.   Keep it sharp 

A sharp knife is a safe knife because you will need to exert less pressure to get what you need done. In the case of a filet knife, this is even more pointedly true, if you can excuse the pun.

After every use, give your filet knife a few passes over a stone appropriate for the edge you keep on it. If it isn’t sharp enough to pop hairs with little effort, chances are it needs a touch up.

It’s also better to be proactive about this rather than letting the knife get really dull before you restore the edge, so get in the habit of sharpening it after every use, even if it only takes a few passes on a stone.

2.   Don’t put it away with scales or other muck on it 

It can be tempting to just lightly rinse off the knife and then stow it, even if there’s a scale or two left on the blade, or a little grime near the handle, but never do this. 

Scales will trap muck, grease and moisture against the blade which will accelerate rust and corrosion on the blade. These must be cleaned off after every use. 

It doesn’t matter if your knife is stainless. Any steel will rust if you give it an excuse, and leaving anything on the blade before you put it away is the perfect excuse.

3.   Clean it after every use 

Just getting the scales off your fishing knives is unfortunately not good enough to keep it in good order. After every use, whether you pan-dressed one fish or fileted thirty, thoroughly clean the blade and scales. 

The blade should be completely wiped clean and then rinsed several times in clean, fresh water. This is necessary in freshwater use and absolutely imperative in saltwater use. If you don’t do so, the blade will rust. 

Also, before you store the blade, make sure it is completely dry. It’s also a good idea in the case of most alloys to oil the blade lightly in order to protect it against rust.

4.   Be cognizant of steel alloy and store it wisely 

As stated, any steel will rust if you give it the least occasion, especially alloys that have been used in marine environments, and many fishing knives are. 

Therefore, be conscious of the steel alloy from which your knife is made, as this will influence how the knife should be stored. 

Blades that are made with non-stainless alloys should not be stored in leather sheaths for prolonged periods of time as leather can trap moisture which will accelerate rust. 

When in doubt, store the knife out of a sheath or keep it in a thermoplastic or nylon sheath that will shed moisture and allow the steel to breathe.

Upgrade Your Collection with a New Fishing Knife 

Here for a new filet knife for your pack, or are you interested in checking out some new fishing knives for your collection? Visit The Knife Connection. They carry a plenty of knives and other tools from the top brands, such as Joker and White River, among others. 

For more information about tactile knife company and Custom Knife Scales Please visit: The Knife Connection.