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To Patina or not...that is the question?

These two knives are both carbon steel knives that see a lot of use. The top one, I have let form a nice patina and the bottom one I have not. To keep the bottom knife from forming a patina, all I do is polish it, once in a while.

The reason for me to write this article is to show that just because you own a carbon steel knife, you don't have to have one with a patina. I enjoy my carbon steel knives both ways and you can too, with a little care. Those that believe a shinny blade can only be had with stainless steel are wrong. Please enjoy your carbon steel blades either way, with or without a patina. Tell me what you think about this subject.

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Comment by Ms Data on February 4, 2014 at 20:50: Wow. I know some people who patina on purpose.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on February 4, 2014 at 18:22: Good, I'm not alone here. Lol

In Memoriam Comment by Terry Ray on February 4, 2014 at 18:13: I agree with steve , I like patina ! It tells the story

Comment by Brad T. on February 4, 2014 at 13:08: I like patina, but there is a thin line between that and rust. After you establish an aesthetically pleasing patina, preserve it by keeping the blade oiled.

Comment by John Bamford on February 4, 2014 at 12:35: I am with Craig Henry, I like my knives clean and shiny I can't handle patina at all.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on February 4, 2014 at 11:03: I don't know guys. I think that a good patina adds character to a knife. My problem is, that on a multiblade pocket knife, each blade doesn't age the same. My gippetto whittler is developing a patina on the main blade, but won't get any on the secondaries until peach season gets here.

Featured Comment by Craig Henry on February 3, 2014 at 23:50: I don't think a patina really bothers me anymore like it used to, but if I carry a carbon steel knife I tend to keep it shiny by polishing it fairy often. Maybe it's my obsessive compulsive nature or something.