[jillsy]

I've got an interchangable knife handle so I can switch out blades often between carvings rather than stopping to sharpen. Then I save sharpening all my blades at once for another time.

I think I remember a carver telling me he does this and saves his blades in a jar of alcohol until he's ready to sharpen. Am I remembering right? Should I store my blades in alcohol until I'm ready to sharpen?

[AlArchie]

I'd be a mite leery about that........haven't done it myself, but alcohol absorbs water and water is a rust inducer, so go from there. Most "rubbing alcohol" from the pharmacy is around 70% (check the bottle) and the rest is actually good ol' H20. alcohol, itself, would actually remove any protective oil that may be onthe blade. By the way, stropping with most abrasives puts a light coat of oil on the blade, as the carriers in those sticks is either a heavy oil or light grease. Sharpens AND protects.

If I store my blades for any lenght of time, I give 'em a light rub with either a silicone rag or light machine oil (3 in 1, etc)

You can find those silicone rags in the firearms section of your local sporting goods store.

As a second thought, a brief period in alcohol probably wouldn't do any damage, but there just doesn't seem to be any advantage to it.

Al

[jillsy]

Thanks Al, I was afraid the blades might rust in alcohol. Coating them sounds like a good idea.