Caring For Your Clifft

The Clifft is more than just a knife—it's a high-performance tool built with precision and made to last a lifetime. Whether you're putting it to work in the backcountry or displaying it as part of your collection, proper maintenance will keep your Clifft performing at its best.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your Clifft: from blade maintenance to sharpening techniques and sheath setup.

Blade Material & Maintenance

The Clifft is crafted from carbon steel, known for its outstanding toughness, ease of sharpening, and ability to hold a keen edge. While these qualities make it ideal for demanding tasks, carbon steel requires regular maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion.

Why Carbon Steel Requires Extra Care

Unlike stainless steel, carbon steel does not contain high levels of chromium, which means it can oxidize more easily. This is especially true in humid, coastal, or wet environments. With proper upkeep, however, a carbon steel blade will develop a beautiful and protective patina over time.

Routine Cleaning and Protection

After each use, wipe down your blade with a soft, dry cloth.
If the blade is exposed to moisture, saltwater, or acidic materials (like citrus or animal blood), clean it promptly with warm water and mild soap.
Thoroughly dry the knife and apply a light coat of oil or wax. We recommend products like Axe Wax or mineral oil for long-lasting protection.
Avoid leaving the blade in the sheath for long-term storage, as even small amounts of trapped moisture can accelerate corrosion.

Storing Your Clifft Safely

When your Clifft isn’t in use, storing it correctly is essential to preserving the blade’s condition.

Use VCI Paper: Wrap the blade in Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) paper to create a protective barrier against moisture and oxygen.
Avoid Leather for Long-Term Storage: While leather sheaths look great, they can retain moisture and promote rusting. Always remove your knife from its sheath before storing it long-term.
Keep it Dry: Store your knife in a climate-controlled environment away from humidity, and never store it wet.

Sharpening & Edge Maintenance

The Clifft comes with a precision-ground edge at a 22-degree angle per side, optimized for a strong yet sharp cutting edge. Here’s how to maintain that edge:

Sharpening

Use sharpening stones, guided systems, or belt sharpeners that allow you to maintain a consistent 22° angle.
Work slowly and methodically to preserve the edge geometry.
If you're new to sharpening, consider practicing on a less expensive blade or using a guided sharpening system to build consistency.

Stropping

Between sharpenings, maintain your Clifft's edge by stropping on a leather strop.
Apply a stropping compound if desired to polish and refine the edge.
Stropping realigns the microscopic burrs along the edge and keeps it performing like new.

Sheath Configuration & Carry Options

Your Clifft comes with a modular, multi-position sheath system that allows for personalized carry. The sheath is designed for both security and adaptability, with several ways to set it up based on your needs.

Retention Options

No Retention Strap: Ideal for quick-access situations where speed is key.
Retention Strap to the Rear: Traditional carry style that balances speed and security.
Retention Strap to the Front: Offers alternative access depending on your draw style or pack setup.

Belt Carry or Pack Mounting

The included belt attachment can be used or removed depending on your preference.
Without the belt piece, the sheath can be adapted to fit into packs, chest rigs, or other carry systems.

Left-Handed or Right-Handed Orientation

The sheath is fully ambidextrous. All configurations can be reversed or mirrored to support left-handed or right-handed users.
Adjusting the carry orientation is simple and can be done with basic tools in a matter of minutes.

This flexibility ensures that your Clifft can go wherever you go, carried exactly the way you want.

Long-Term Ownership Tips

Keep the knife dry and clean whenever possible.
Regularly inspect the handle, hardware, and sheath for signs of wear or loosening.
Apply a touch of thread locker to hardware screws if you frequently reconfigure your sheath setup.
Allow the blade to develop a natural patina—it’s not only beautiful, it helps protect the steel.

Have Questions?

If you need additional support or want recommendations for care products, sharpening tools, or carry setups, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us anytime through the Contact Us form on our website.

We’re proud to stand behind every Clifft with our commitment to quality, community, and performance.

Indomiti Sumus — We Are Unconquerable