A Bowie knife from Pakistan with 24 cm of steel shows every water spot, so a short routine after each outing pays off:
- Wipe the stainless blade dry with the cloth folded over the spine, moving from guard to tip, so your fingers never pass along the edge.
- Polish the curved brass spine guard with a soft cloth; a little brass polish now and then, kept off the wood, restores the shine.
- Oil the 12.5 cm dark wood handle lightly whenever it starts to look dry.
- Store the knife out of its leather case, in a dry drawer or on a rack, and condition the leather twice a year.
None of this takes more than five minutes, and the knife keeps its looks for years.