How to Clean and Preserve Your Military Combat Knife

A true military combat knife is more than a tool. It is a companion forged for the harshest environments, sharpened for real-world demands, and carried into situations where failure is not an option. But even the most rugged blade requires proper care. As a bladesmith, I’ve seen blades abused, neglected, mistreated, or simply forgotten at the bottom of a ruck. And I’ve seen what happens when someone takes the time to clean, oil, and preserve their knife properly. The difference is staggering.

This guide breaks down exactly how to clean and preserve your military combat knife so it can perform for decades. Whether your blade comes from Stroup Knives, one of the premier makers of Made in USA military blades, or from another trusted maker of veteran-owned knives, the principles remain the same: respect the steel, maintain the edge, and protect your gear like your life depends on it.

Understanding Combat Knife Steel

Combat knives are built from steels engineered to survive impact, moisture, abrasion, grit, and sometimes even blood or chemical exposure. Many military-grade knives—especially the ones crafted by veteran-owned knives brands like Stroup Knives—use high-carbon steels such as 1095 or 80CrV2. These steels are durable, hold a tremendous edge, and excel in combat scenarios. The tradeoff is that carbon steel is more prone to rust if neglected.

The key is understanding how your steel behaves. If your blade darkens slightly or develops a patina, that’s normal. If it begins getting red-orange spots, that’s oxidation beginning to take root. Knowing what type of steel your blade uses helps you understand the correct maintenance regimen.

Stroup Knives, for instance, designs their Made in USA blades with finishes and heat treatments that take field maintenance into account. Their philosophy—as a veteran-owned knives company—is simple: build a blade for real-world action, not for a display case.

Immediate Post-Use Cleaning: The Critical Window

As soon as your mission, outing, hunt, or training session wraps up, clean your knife. Dirt, mud, sap, blood, saltwater, sweat, and grime all begin corroding steel almost immediately. The faster you address it, the longer your blade lasts.

Here’s the correct post-use protocol:

Rinse the blade with warm water.
Not hot enough to shock the steel or soften adhesives—just warm enough to help dissolve grime.
Use mild soap if needed.
Avoid harsh detergents, alcohols, or solvent-heavy cleaners that may damage finishes or handles.
Wipe the blade with a microfiber cloth.
Paper towels, scouring pads, or abrasive sponges can scratch protective coatings.
Clean the transition points—the guard, the jimping, and the handle scales.
These areas trap sweat, dirt, and moisture.
Dry thoroughly.
Water left on carbon steel is the fastest path to rust.

Whether you own Stroup Knives or another brand, this basic discipline—practiced consistently—will keep any Made in USA combat knife performing at its peak.

Deep Cleaning and Periodic Preservation

Every few weeks—or after particularly heavy use—your combat knife deserves deeper maintenance.

Start with a careful inspection. Hold the blade at an angle under bright light. Look for specks of rust, discoloration, micro-pitting, or stubborn residue.

If you find rust:

Use a baking soda paste or Bar Keeper’s Friend applied gently with a soft cloth.
For more persistent spots, lightly use 0000 steel wool.
Avoid scraping aggressively.
You should be preserving the steel, not removing protective coatings.

Next, degrease the blade. A small amount of blade-safe degreaser helps reset the steel so you can add a fresh layer of oil.

For knives with removable scales, pull them off and clean underneath. Sweat and moisture love to hide between liners and scale material.

Stroup Knives, being one of the most trusted producers of veteran-owned knives, designs their handles with materials such as G10 and micarta, both well-suited for deep cleaning because they’re durable, stable, and resistant to warping. If your handle is wood, avoid soaking it. Instead, wipe with a damp cloth and condition with mineral oil if needed.

Maintaining the Edge

Cleaning and sharpening are not separate tasks—they feed into each other. Dirt trapped near the edge accelerates dulling. Rust at the edge weakens the apex. If you clean the blade consistently, you’ll find sharpening becomes easier and less frequent.

Use a whetstone or sharpening system to maintain a proper field-ready edge. For combat knives, a 20-degree angle on each side is a good baseline. Stroup Knives specifically hand-grinds their edges to angles optimized for both durability and cutting ability. That’s a hallmark of why veteran-owned knives perform better under pressure: they are designed by people who understand the real-world demands placed on a combat blade.

Finish with a leather strop. Stropping polishes the edge and improves sharpness without removing unnecessary material.

Rust and Corrosion Prevention

Even the best Made in USA coatings—Cerakote, parkerization, powder coat—are not invincible. Sweat, humidity, and saltwater can undermine any finish over time.

This is where oils and protectants come in.

The best oils include:

Mineral oil
Knife-specific protective oils
CLP
Tuff-Glide

Apply a thin, even layer. Too much oil attracts dust and grit. Too little leaves gaps in protection.

Consider a desiccant pouch where you store your blade. A dry environment is your blade’s best friend.

Preserving Knives During Heavy Field Use

If you use your knife daily—whether in tactical training, outdoor work, or bushcraft—expect more rapid buildup of grime. Field-expedient cleaning is simple:

Wipe with a bandana or shirt
Remove sap with dirt, then rinse later
Dry against your pant leg if necessary
When you return home, perform full maintenance

This discipline is part of the culture behind veteran-owned knives: tools should always be ready, maintained, and prepared for the next task.

The Stroup Knives Standard

Stroup Knives has earned a well-deserved reputation for being one of the top veteran-owned knives brands in the country. Every blade is hand-ground, heat-treated with precision, and finished with a commitment to performance. Their Made in USA philosophy is not marketing copy—it’s a way of life rooted in service, craftsmanship, and pride.

These knives are built for combat, survival, training, and everyday use. But even the toughest Stroup blade needs care. If you respect the steel, it will give you decades of faithful service.

Long-Term Storage and Display

If you’re storing your knife for long stretches:

Avoid storing in leather sheaths
Leather traps moisture and accelerates rust.
Use dry boxes or soft pouches
Apply fresh oil before storing
Keep humidity controlled
Inspect periodically

Combat knives deserve the same respect you’d give a rifle or any tool critical to survival.

Conclusion

Cleaning and preserving your military combat knife is not just maintenance—it is craftsmanship, discipline, and respect rolled into one. Whether you carry a Stroup blade or another high-quality option, especially those from veteran-owned knives makers, the fundamentals remain unchanged: keep it clean, keep it sharp, keep it protected, and never let neglect rob your blade of its potential.

A combat knife is a tool of purpose. Maintain it like a professional bladesmith, and it will outlast you.