Care & Sharpening
Look after your blade and it will outlast you.
Hand-wash, dry immediately.
Damascus is a high-carbon laminate. It cuts beautifully and holds an edge for years — but it will rust if left wet. Wash with mild soap and warm water, then dry the blade and tang thoroughly with a soft cloth before storing.
Oil after every third use.
Apply a thin film of food-grade mineral oil to the blade with a clean cloth. This protects the steel and deepens the patina that gives Damascus its character. Olive oil and other plant oils will go rancid — avoid them.
Never put it in the dishwasher.
Detergent and prolonged moisture will pit the steel and damage the wooden handle. The dishwasher is the single fastest way to ruin a forged blade.
Sharpening is on us. Forever.
Every blade we make comes with lifetime sharpening, re-handling, and re-tempering. Send your knife to the forge once a year and we will return it to its original edge, free of charge.
Email info@valhallasteels.com with your order number and we will send a pre-paid return label.
Wood handles need oil too.
Birch and oak handles benefit from a light wipe with mineral oil every few months. Bog oak and ebony are denser and need it less often. Reindeer-bone handles need only a soft cloth — never solvents.