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As with any quality tool care should be given to your Delavan knife to ensure many years of faithful service. After using your knife, wash it with a mild detergent and water, then dry it with a soft, clean cloth. Prior to storing your knife for any length of time, I recommend protecting it with a very light coating of a good quality gun oil.
Treat the leather sheath occasionally with Sno-Seal waterproofing and a coat of high quality boot wax. If the sheath becomes wet, allow it to dry at room temperature and then re-treat it as above. Never store your Delavan knife in a wet or damp sheath. In fact, for long term storage your knife and sheath should be stored separately.
The materials used in the construction of your knife are the finest I know of. "Natural" handle materials such as wood, bone or ivory react violently to extremes of sunlight, heat and moisture. Care should be taken to protect your knife from being damaged by them, and no guarantees are attached to knives subjected to such extreme conditions. Man made materials, such as Micarta, K-Carta and Dymondwood react much less to such extremes but should still be protected from them. Your Delavan knife is not a pry-bar and should not be used as such. Nor should you attempt to "hammer" your knife through hard materials such as bone. Any such treatment will void all warranties, expressed or implied. Your Delavan knife is an investment and should be treated with care.
Keep your Delavan knife razor sharp by careful honing on high quality stones followed by stropping. If you are not expert in the art of sharpening a knife, carefully package the knife and return it to me, post paid both ways, and I will be happy to sharpen it for you free of charge. With proper care the razor edge on your Delavan knife should last a very long time. I have received reports from owners who were able to dress out several deer before having to touch up the blade on their Delavan knives.
When properly cared for and used in the manner for which it was intended, your Delavan knife should provide you and your descendants with many years of faithful service.