Custom knives mean specialised skill and artistry, high quality material, and beautiful designs. It is a lengthy and involved process, and because of this, they tend to cost a bit more than an ordinary, mass produced hunting knife. Often an Arno Bernard Knife will be passed on as an heirloom to the next generation, and it is important, if you want to ensure you have a lifelong companion, to take proper care of your knife.

You need to clean your knife regularly, and every time after use, cleaning it with a non-abrasive soft cloth.

Here are 6 Easy Steps for Cleaning your Arno Bernard Knife:

Step 1 – Rinse in water

Rinse your knife in running water and dry off completely with a paper towel or soft cloth.

Step 2 – Acetone Clean

Using acetone to clean your knife will not leave an oily residue on the blade and it removes a lot of the stubborn marks and stains on the blade. Be careful if you have a natural material handle, like wood, not to get any acetone touching it, as it could dull the handle.

Step 3 – Simichrome Polish

This is a great product to polish your blade with. Rub it carefully on both sides of the blade, making sure to apply it away from the cutting edge of the blade as not to cut yourself. Use a soft cloth to remove any excess polish and then rub over the blade in a circular motion. The polish will remove any dirt left on your blade as well as leave a protective layer on your blade, especially if you’re planning on storing your knife.

Step 4 – Knife Handle

We use Woodoc Furniture wax, but any natural oil will work. Apply a little bit of the wax or any true oil to the knife handle using a soft cloth. If your knife handle is very dry, let the oil absorb for a few minutes before applying some more oil in the same manner. Re-coating a few times if necessary. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes, then wipe the handle clean with your soft cloth.

Step 5 – Leather Sheath

Use any available leather dressing (oil) to care for your knife sheath. Apply a small amount of the oil to the sheath using a soft, clean cloth. This will lengthen the lifespan of your leather sheath. Allow for 30 minutes to soak into the leather before handling it again.

Step 6 – Longevity

If your knife handle is made from natural materials, DO NOT place it in a dishwasher or leave it soaking in water. If you are storing your knife for an extended period, rather NOT keep it in the leather sheath, as leather tends to draw moisture from the air, and this might cause your knife to stain. Store your knife in a clean, dry, and safe place out of direct sunlight and dry the sheath carefully at room temperature if it becomes wet.

Our knives are still hand finished on both the blade and handle, along with hand stitched fine quality sheaths to ensure lasting quality, they are designed to perform as optimal cutting equipment and as a lifelong outdoor companion. All Arno Bernard Knives are cut from the finest steel, followed by freehand hollow ground, and then hand polished. They are heat treated and tempered using a liquid nitrogen process resulting in a blade that is 59-60 on the Rockwell hardness scale. The perfect balance between edge retention and performance.

Watch the video below to see Arno Bernard, one of the four Bernard brothers in South African, showing you how to care for your Arno Bernard Knife.

Leave a comment on the video (in YouTube) on how you care for your knife, and stand a chance to win the Wildebeest with Snakeskin Carbon Fiber. The winner will be announced on May 24th 2021.