Even in the age of state-of-the-art powder-metallurgical steel, classic non-stainless carbon steel still has its raison d’être. Many users appreciate the traditional aspect of carbon steel, as well as the combination of edge retention and easy sharpening never achieved by stainless stee

1. Due to this property in connection with its very fine structure, carbon steel is still a real alternative to chrome steel when it comes to cutting tools. For blades requiring an extremely fine edge, e.g. razors, carbon steel is still a matchless choice. Outdoor enthusiasts also like carbon steel blades, because they can even be sharpened on a piece of river gravel in an emergency. In the kitchen, it is a joy to work with a fine-edged carbon steel blade that offers unsurpassed cutting properties. “Non-stainless”, by the way, doesn\’t mean that the blade will immediately take on an appealing shade of rust.

With a little care, a blade made from carbon steel has the same service life as a stainless blade. In the kitchen, you just have to rinse the blade under hot running water after each use. You should avoid letting the used blade sit for a while without cleaning it. Since the dishwasher is not appropriate for stainless kitchen knives, the same applies, of course, to carbon steel blades. Hunting knives or fixed blade knives with carbon steel blades should not be stored in a leather sheath, since these sheaths often contain tannic acid, which can harm carbon steel. One completely natural property of the material is the patina that will develop over time.

It is absolutely normal if the blade takes on a grayish blue hue, which is not a flaw. On the contrary, the patina (oxide layer) protects the blade and makes it more resistant to outside conditions. The patina often develops after the first use and cannot be removed. For the expert, it is a sure sign of high-quality carbon steel. Generally speaking, this also applies to Damascus blades forged from classic carbon steel.

Many of our own knives and those of other brands we represent have carbon steel blades that offer these properties.If you have any further questions about this topic or about certain products, please don’t hesitate to contact us.