How often should I sharpen my knife?
How often depends on what you’re cutting and the number of times you’re cutting. Frequent light sharpening is recommended to ensure your blade is always sharp. Dull blades are far more dangerous than sharp blades.
I own a Gerber knife with a serrated edge. How do I sharpen the serrations?
To sharpen a serrated knife edge, consider doing so with a round sharpener or a similar style stone. Lay the diamond shaft in the serration and file up and down in each serration along the entire blade. When sharpening of a serrated blade is sufficient, a burr can be felt on the flat, or reverse side of the knife blade (you can feel the burr with your fingernail.) This burr should be removed by rubbing that side of the knife with the Diamond Knife Sharpener with a circular motion. If no burr appears, then the angle was too small and the work on the grooves must be repeated using a larger angle.
If you use stainless steel, why has rust occurred on my Gerber product?
Gerber products use a 100% high-grade stainless steel. Stainless steel is not completely resistant to rust but rather is corrosion resistant to rust. Corrosion can occur in the absence of proper maintenance. Your Gerber product should be cleaned, dried and re-oiled periodically to inhibit rust and corrosion; this is especially true in a damp or marine environment. If your Gerber product comes in contact with any substance that you are uncertain about, it is always a good idea to wash your blade off with tap water, dry it and apply a light coat of oil. If your Gerber product comes into contact with saltwater you must flush it with tap water immediately after use and coat it with good quality lightweight oil. Salt water is extremely corrosive and will attack and destroy any type of steel.
Should I oil my Multi-Pliers?
Yes. Prior to the treatment of high quality light oil, be sure to clean the product of debris and moisture. Your Multi-Plier can be rinsed in clear tap water to help remove most of the debris. If dirt or grime is found in the grooves, handles, etc., use a small soft brush to help loosen the trapped particles. When the tool is sufficiently clean and dry, apply the oil. Stained areas can usually be buffed out using a polishing cloth or non-metallic scouring pad.
