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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.

2021 Calendar 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.

2021 Calendar 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.

2021 Calendar 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.