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    FAQ: "What is stainless steel?"(Post)

    Question: "What is stainless steel?" Steel that contains at least 11.5% free chromium content is considered stainless steel. Chromium is an alloying element specifically added to steel increase ...

    FAQ: "What is the best blade steel?"(Post)

    Question: "What is the best blade steel?" With so many aspects of a steel's performance dependent on subjective and personal preferences, this question is going to be difficult to answer fully.

    FAQ: Can stainless steel rust?(Post)

    In short, yes -- most any steel, under the right conditions and if truly neglected, can oxidize (rust).What we call "stainless steel" is no exception.Think of stainless steel as rust-resistant, not r ...

    FAQ: "What is tool steel?"(Post)

    Question: "What is tool steel?" Tool steel is a term that refers to high carbon alloys that are optimal for use in tools, particularly where a high edge retention, resistance to abrasion and de ...

    FAQ: How Do I Maintain My Carbon Steel Knives?(Post)

    With the popularity of traditional and custom knives (like  Great Eastern Cutlery, Northwoods Knives, Bark River Knives, Fiddleback Forge, etc), we are asked all the time, ...

    Quick-reference guide: Know your knife steels(Post)

    The products in the KnivesShipFree inventory represent dozens of different steels -- stainless steels and carbon steels, tool steels and "super" steels -- and we know that can be a bit overwhelmin ...

    FAQ: Do Wooden Knife Handles Shrink?(Post)

    At KnivesShipFree, we sell a lot of wood handled knives.  And if you have ever taken a look at Bark River Knives or the Northwoods Knife line, you know how beautiful wood handles can be.

    FAQ: Which is better -- a plain edge or a serrated edge?(Post)

    Fortunately, there's an easy answer to this question:  It depends. There are lots of opinions on this subject, so it depends on whom you ask. The answer also varies depending on what a kn ...

    FAQ: What is Damascus steel?(Post)

    We could write an entire book on Damascus steel and still not be fair to the topic, either historically or technically. At the risk of over-simplifying a complicated subject, we'll do our best to kee ...

    FAQ: What's a 'coffin' handle?(Post)

    A "coffin" handle is a traditional style of knife handle that resembles, in its shape, a burial coffin.Its distinctive pommel has three sides, or faces. A coffin handle tapers toward its forward end, ...

    FAQ: Which is better for kids—a fixed blade or a folder?(Post)

    Truth? A fixed blade. I tell that to countless parents every month, and every month those same parents pick up a folding knife for their kids instead.Fixed blades don’t ever fold on your fingers. Fix ...

    FAQ: What's the perfect number of blades for a slipjoint pocketknife?(Post)

    That's a great question, albeit one that opens a big can of worms. We'll be glad to share our opinions here, without presuming that we'll be able to settle the matter. Some folks are adamant tha ...

    Poetry in Steel: Bark River's Camp & Trail(Post)

    The other day, we were listening to a radio interview with one of our favorite celebrities as he traced the strange and circuitous path that led to his current fame. (We're not going to name him, but ...

    FAQ: What's the purpose of a 'sharpening steel'? How often should I use it?(Post)

    A "sharpening steel" (more accurately, "honing steel") is used to realign the very fine "micro edge" of a kitchen knife. Gently drawing the blade across the rod at a shallow angle realigns the edge ...

    How-To: Replacing Benchmade Griptilian Handle Scales(Post)

    Replacing Benchmade Griptilian Handle Scales Note: According to Benchmade's warranty policy, "[The Benchmade Lifetime Warranty] does not cover...disassembly of any knife by any person other than ...

    FAQ: Is there a folding knife that's as strong as a fixed blade?(Post)

    In a word: No. There's no such think as a folding knife with a locking mechanism that makes it the equivalent of a fixed blade. It just doesn't exist. You should never subject a folding kni ...

    FAQ: What are the advantages of multiple blades on a pocketknife?(Post)

    Some folks insist that you only need one blade -- the right blade -- on a pocketknife. Most people, however, see the advantages of having at least two, or even more. Although the debate wi ...

    What's the best place to buy Spartan Blades?(Post)

    The best place to buy Spartan Blades is KnivesShipFree, of course, and here's why: We stock a wide selection of knives from Spartan Blades, both fixed blades and folders, including har ...

    FAQ: What are the advantages and disadvantages of different handle materials?(Post)

    When you're considering a particular knife, you look for quality. And while the blade is by far the most important component, the handle deserves attention as well. If the handle is defective, c ...

    FAQ: Which is better -- a folding knife or a fixed blade?(Post)

    We really can't answer that question -- either one may be right for you, and your choice will depend on a variety of factors. To help you with your decision, we'll give you some food for thought ...