Everything you need to know about your new Walker Knife Co. purchase. Thank you for the support! You're going to love it.
SAFETY FIRST!
Kydex sheaths have great long lasting retention when designed properly. As a result however it can also seem difficult to draw the knife at first. In time, you'll get the hang of it and come to appreciate the way the sheath holds the knife.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you never grasp the sheath with your off hand anywhere above the retention screw or eyelet closest to the sheath opening when drawing the knife. The knife can exit the sheath side above this point.
Watch this video and learn about how to safely draw a knife. Practice makes perfect. Always be sure you get a secure snap when re-inserting the knife in the sheath. This video demonstrates the process with a River Knife, however the principal is the same for Trackers and Wayfinders - separate video coming soon.
KNIFE CARE
Never wash your knife or sheath in a dishwasher. The high temperature of a dishwasher can destroy epoxy bonds and devastate kydex sheaths.
It's important to understand that stainless is not stain-never. If you take care of your knife it will last for decades. The River Knife in 440C, the All Weather Tracker in S30V and our new MagncaCut line require little maintenance. You can ensure your knife stays in top shape by always putting away dry after any adventure. It's best not to leave a knife in a wet sheath for prolonged periods of time. That said, these steels are superior in corrosion resistance and you need not worry about them when in the field or on the river.
When storing your knife for long periods of time, though not all that necessary with stainless steels, you can apply a very thin coat of oil to the blade for ultimate protection from oxidization. Apply and then wipe dry, it should not look wet after application.
Sharpening
Sharpen using any preferred method but always avoid mechanical sharpeners like belts or wheels that may generate friction or heat along the cutting edge. Heat can kill the temper easily along the fine edge. Please reach out if you feel you need assistance getting your knife back to hair poppin' sharp! We offer free sharpening for life.
Handle Maintenance
Do Not Remove Bolt on Handles.
All of our knife handles are either G10, Carbon Fiber or Micarta. The maintenance is all the same. We rough finish handles to 150 grit for maximum grip in wet conditions. If you have a scratch or ding you want to remove you can simply gently hand sand with 150 grit paper. Avoid scratching the tang of the knife by sanding lengthwise if you are sanding near the tang.
If your handle starts to look "dry," has lost some of its vibrant color, or after sanding you need to apply oil or wax. We use mineral oil which can be purchased in any grocery store in the first aid section. Mineral oil is food safe and provides protection from the elements. Over time your handle material will become more and more impregnated with oils from use and require less care.
Kydex Sheath Care
Your sheath is made from Kydex which is a thermoplastic. The sheath was molded to your knife after being cooked to about 315 degrees. Your sheath should not ever be run through a dishwasher, especially a commercial washer, that reaches high temperatures. The best way to wash your sheath is using mildly warm water and soap by hand. Though it would take extreme circumstances, theoretically if your sheath was left on the dash of your vehicle on a 100 degree day in the hot sun it may reach temps high enough to become malleable again. Generally avoid extreme heat.
MOUNTING YOUR RIVER KNIFE
For starters there are several ways to attach your new River Knife to your PFD. There are no rules when it comes to finding a great spot to mount your knife. One of the simplest and most effective methods is simply to use a couple of quality cable ties or zip ties. We also offer a lash tab clip for utilizing the built in lash tab on your PFD and paracord works well too.
You can read our pro tips and considerations for mounting your knife here - Attach Your River Knife to Your PFD Like a Pro
The PFD Lash Tab Method:
Basic Zip Ties:
The Paracord Method:
ATTACHING A BELT CLIP TO YOUR SHEATH (video coming soon)
- Step 1 - Remove any paracord or other accessories from your knife sheath.
- Step 2 - Remove the torx/phillips screws from the belt clip, leaving the rubber washers in place.
- Step 3 - Position the bracket on the sheath
- Step 4 - Reinsert the torx/phillips screws and tighten firmly.
- Step 5 - Attach to belt and enjoy.
Need help?
If your knife needs care beyond your comfort level please don't hesitate to contact us. We'll set up a spa day for your blade and get it back to top shape.