Knife Pivot Lube
Rust Prevention: Choosing the Best Options for You
Here at KPL we are passionate about making sure your knives are properly maintained so you can they’re ready to be used when you need them most! One of our top priorities is preventing harmful rust build up on your pocket knives, fixed blades, and kitchen knives. With very little exception, steel is susceptible to rust. While we know that high carbon steels are more prone to rust build up, even highly corrosion resistant super steels such as Magnacut can develop rust when exposed to the elements and during use. In this article, we will talk a little about some of the reasons why blades can rust as well as the products that we offer to help protect your knives from these rust build up!
KPL Dry Film: High Performance Lubrication With No Mess
For years KPL has formulated and produced excellent pivot lubricants, starting with our original and later evolving into heavy and ultralight options to meet the specific needs of our community. When we heard that many members of the knife community were on the hunt for an effective lubricant that would not leave any oil or waxy residue behind, we knew that we could formulate the best dry lubricant to meet those needs! After extensive research and testing we were able to launch KPL Dry Film Lubricant in 2023 and it has become a staple in our product line ever since!
Blade Steel 101
Blade steel is always a hot topic in the EDC, outdoor, and knife enthusiast communities. There are a ton of different steel choices out there, and even more opinions as to what the best steel is. In reality there is no one perfect steel, and the right steel for you will depend on your intended tasks, personal preferences, and to some degree the collectability and resale value of the knife. While we have gone over steel in depth in past articles, this guide will serve more to give our readers direction when navigating the sea of steel options!
KPL Guide to Blade Coatings
Blade coatings, simply stated, is a layer of material that is applied to the surface of a knife blade. Blade coatings have become a standard offering in the knife industry for both practical uses and aesthetic value. These coatings were originally designed to help prevent damage to the knife blade particularly from rust and corrosion on high carbon steels. Beyond just the ability to protect your blade, coatings also offer a variety of colors allowing knife makers and manufacturers the ability to customize the look of their knives.
The Hinderer Knives Half Track: Small Size, Big Capability
Rick Hinderer is a name that most knife and EDC enthusiasts are familiar with, and for very good reason, he has been designing and making knives for well over 30 years! Rick Hinderer’s designs can be found in the line up of Kershaw Knives, Zero Tolerance Knives, Viper Knives, Gerber Knives, Kabar Knives, and of course his own company Hinderer Knives. Rick has designed both folding knives and fixed blades, and no single design is as iconic as the XM-18 folding knife that has seen a variety of iterations, sizes, and blade grinds. While the XM line is the most well known, Hinderer has many great designs, including a personal favorite of mine the Half Track. Today we will dive into the Hinderer Knives Half Track and see why it is such a great knife!
The Rise of EDC Fixed Blades
While we love all the variety and innovation of the folding knife market, we can’t ignore the unparalleled utility and reliability that fixed blades can provide. Fixed blades do not have any locking or deployment mechanisms that can fail during use, making maintenance much easier and allows for safer and more reliable use. The lack of mechanical parts also keeps production costs lower, which often keeps the price down for the end consumer. Despite these benefits, fixed blades were traditionally larger than their folding knife counterparts, and relied on leather or kydex belt sheaths for carry. For those of us who live in rural environments that is not really an issue, but public perception and even local regulations have made it more difficult for the urban and suburban knife enthusiast to carry a fixed blade.
What makes Dry Film™ by Knife Pivot Lube different?
After years as the leader in knife protection and lubrication Knife Pivot Lube, manufacturer of knife oils, rust preventives and maintenance items has now released KPL DRY FILM. Unlike our synthetic fluid lubricants (KPL Original, Ultra-Light, and Heavy), DRY FILM™ goes on as a liquid, but quickly flashes off to leave behind a 100% dry fluorinated layer.
Best Pocket Knives Overall for 2023
If we had to pick just one knife to add to our collection in 2023, we'd fail. If we had to pick a handful, these would be some of them!
Why and How to Properly Store Your Knives
Though often neglected, proper knife storage is imperative to their long-term reliability. Improper storage can lead to corrosion and rust, severely reducing a knife's usability and life span. Here are some of the best storage methods to keep your knives rust-free and at peak functionality!
The KPL 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
With the holiday season fast approaching, many people may be left wondering what they can get for their special EDC enthusiast, knife nut, or outdoors person in their life. Fortunately, Knife Pivot Lube has you covered with our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide! We have assembled some of the very best offerings that are sure to please, and many of our choices won’t break the bank! Each of these knives, EDC accessories, and outdoor tools have been vetted by members of the KPL team to ensure they are of the very best quality.
8 Essentials for Maintaining Your Knives in the Wilderness
Knives are probably the most important tool to bring on your adventures into the wilderness, with a wide range of functions including processing wood, starting fires, and more. With all this use comes the need for routine maintenance, so let's take a look at 8 of the most essential products to bring with you on your wilderness treks!
The 8 Biggest Mistakes in Knife Maintenance (and What to Do About Them)
Like any other tool, knives need maintenance to keep them running at peak performance. Unfortunately, many knife owners make mistakes when it comes to maintenance, but fortunately, KPL is here to help! Today we will discuss some of the most common mistakes and misconceptions when it comes to knife maintenance, and provide some helpful tips to keep your cutting tools safe and ready to work when you need them!
