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Knife Care Guide for the Holidays
Published: November 24th, 2025
The holidays bring out the best parts of cooking, gathering, and gift-giving, but they also put more strain on the knives we rely on every day. From the kitchen tools that handle marathon meal prep to the pocket knives that open packages, cut twine, and travel with us from place to place, this season exposes blades to heavy use, colder temperatures, and more wear than usual. A little maintenance now can prevent dull edges, stains, and avoidable damage, ensuring your knives perform as they should throughout the busiest time of the year. With just a bit of upkeep before the rush begins, your knives will be ready for everything the holidays throw their way.
Kitchen Knife Care
The holidays are when kitchen knives see the most action. Between carving large roasts, breaking down vegetables for multiple dishes, slicing fruit for charcuterie boards, and tackling endless prep work, even high-quality knives begin to show signs of fatigue. This is the time of year when small habits make a big difference, because a sharp, well-maintained blade not only cuts more cleanly but also makes heavy cooking far less stressful.
One of the most important things home cooks can do before the big meals begin is to give their kitchen knives a proper tune-up. Honing rods help keep edges aligned, but the weeks leading up to the holidays are ideal for a full sharpening session. Whether a person uses whetstones, a guided system, or sends their knives out to a professional, refreshing the bevel before the season starts ensures smooth, effortless cutting from the first slice of turkey to the last bit of leftover prep. A quick strop before carving can also refine the edge enough to reduce tearing and keep cuts clean.
Work Sharp Ceramic Honing Rod
During the bustle of holiday cooking, knives tend to get laid down, rinsed quickly, picked up again, and inevitably exposed to acidic ingredients like tomatoes, citrus, cranberries, and wine. Frequent handwashing and immediate drying prevent staining and moisture-related damage, especially on carbon steel blades. Carbon steel can develop a patina quickly during this time of year. While an even patina can help protect the blade, it’s essential to wipe the knife between tasks to prevent spotty discoloration or early rust.
During the bustle of holiday cooking, knives tend to get laid down, rinsed quickly, picked up again, and inevitably exposed to acidic ingredients like tomatoes, citrus, cranberries, and wine. Frequent handwashing and immediate drying prevent staining and moisture-related damage, especially on carbon steel blades. Carbon steel can develop a patina quickly during this time of year. While an even patina can help protect the blade, it’s essential to wipe the knife between tasks to prevent spotty discoloration or early rust.
Storage becomes even more important when multiple people are in the kitchen. Instead of leaving knives in a sink or buried under a mountain of mixing bowls, keeping them on a magnetic strip, in a block, or safely on the counter reduces the risk of accidental damage or injury. If you’re cooking in a crowded kitchen, a simple blade guard or sheath can make it easy to set a knife aside without worrying about it getting knocked to the floor or scraped against metal cookware.
The holidays also mark a great time to care for wooden handles and cutting boards. Dry winter air, constant washing, and long cooking sessions can cause wood to dry out. A coat of food-safe mineral oil or a wax-based conditioner keeps handles smooth and prevents boards from swelling, cracking, or warping after repeated use. With just a little extra attention, your kitchen knives can carry you through the busiest cooking days of the year and remain in excellent shape long after the holidays pass.
What to Buy - Kitchen Knife Care
Portable Knife Storage
Shun 8-Slot Knife Roll
The Shun 8-Slot Knife Roll offers a safe, organized way to transport your kitchen knives during the busy holiday season, whether you’re cooking at a family gathering or bringing your favorite tools to a festive potluck. Made from sturdy PVC-laminated 600-denier polyester with heavy-duty nylon straps, it keeps up to eight knives securely in place using elasticized pockets that prevent shifting in transit. A zippered mesh pocket provides room for small kitchen essentials, while interior slots hold business cards, pens, or even a pair of chopsticks for on-the-go tasting. Fully zippered with additional Velcro closures, the roll includes a padded handle and a shoulder strap for comfortable carrying. Measuring 19.5 inches wide when closed and weighing just 1.1 pounds, it’s a dependable way to protect your blades throughout holiday travel and cooking events.
Honing Rod
Work Sharp Ceramic Honing Rod
The Work Sharp Ceramic Honing Rod is a straightforward way to keep your knives performing well through the demands of holiday cooking. Its 9-inch ceramic surface gently realigns the edge between sharpenings, making it a useful tool to touch up chef’s knives, carving knives, and paring knives before slicing roasts or working through piles of produce. Built-in 20-degree angle guides help maintain a consistent edge, and the rubberized tip stabilizes the rod on the counter for safe, steady use. The comfortable handle offers solid control during quick honing sessions, and the slim profile stores easily in a knife block or on a kitchen hook. Durable and simple to use, this honing rod keeps your blades sharp, efficient, and ready for busy seasonal prep.
Knife Sharpening
Work Sharp RKS Rolling Knife Sharpener
The Work Sharp RKS Rolling Knife Sharpener is an easy, consistent way to keep your kitchen knives performing well through busy holiday cooking. Its rolling design, paired with a magnetic angle block, lets you choose between 15°, 17°, 20°, and 25°, giving you controlled, repeatable results whether you’re sharpening a chef’s knife for meal prep or a small paring knife for delicate cuts. The interchangeable 320- and 600-grit diamond discs handle edge repair and refinement, while the ceramic hone finishes the edge for smooth, reliable slicing. A comfortable, ergonomic grip keeps the sharpener steady on the counter, and the low-profile format makes quick touch-ups simple as you move through seasonal cooking. Even the packaging doubles as a drawer organizer, keeping everything neatly stored between uses.
Pocket Knife Care
Pocket knives also see a surprising amount of seasonal use, whether helping open packaging, slicing twine for decorations, or handling the everyday tasks that come with travel and gathering. The holidays introduce cold weather, dry indoor heat, and conditions that can dull or dirty a pocket knife far quicker than usual, making this a good time to check in on the tools you carry daily.
One of the most helpful practices during the winter months is simply cleaning out your pocket knife. Lint, dust, and bits of debris tend to collect around the pivot and inside the handle. A gentle rinse followed by thorough drying, or a blast of compressed air for non-washable designs, keeps the action smooth. After cleaning, a drop or two of oil at the pivot restores fluid opening and prevents corrosion from forming inside the knife where it’s harder to notice. While these steps take only a few minutes, they make a big difference once temperatures drop and moisture becomes more of a concern.
Kershaw Knife Oil
Edges often become dull during the holidays because people use their pocket knives for everything from opening dense clamshell packaging to slicing tape and cardboard. Touching up the edge with a stone, rod, or strop keeps it cutting cleanly without needing a full resharpening. Winter is also a good time to inspect screws and hardware. Many pocket knives experience a gradual loosening of pivot screws after repeated openings or heavy seasonal tasks, and tightening everything to a secure but functional tension ensures the knife operates dependably.
Carrying a pocket knife around holiday gatherings comes with extra responsibilities, especially when kids or unfamiliar guests are present. Keeping the knife clipped securely in a pocket, avoiding leaving it on tables, and being mindful during travel all help prevent accidents. If you’re visiting family out of state, it’s worth remembering that knife laws can differ from one place to another, and checking ahead helps avoid unwanted surprises.
Cold weather, low humidity, and frequent pocket carry can all contribute to surface rust or discoloration, especially on carbon steel blades. A light coat of oil during winter offers enough protection to keep blades clean while still allowing for everyday use. If your knife has wooden, bone, or natural-material handles, conditioning them once or twice during the season prevents drying and cracking caused by indoor heating.
For many people, pocket knives are part of daily life, and the holidays only amplify their usefulness. With a little maintenance, they’ll stay ready for all the small tasks that come with gift-giving, travel, hosting, and year-end projects.
What to Buy - Pocket Knife Care
Knife Oil
Kershaw Knife Oil
The Kershaw Knife Oil is a simple, reliable way to keep your pocket knives performing smoothly through the holiday season, especially when cold weather, increased handling, and moisture from outdoor decorating can take a toll on moving parts. This light, non-flammable mineral-based oil works on stainless, carbon steel, and titanium blades without affecting finishes, making it ideal for everything from traditional folders to modern EDCs. A few drops on the pivot reduces friction and restores smooth action after cleaning, cutting tape, trimming ribbon, or opening gift packaging, while a thin coat on the blade helps prevent rust when your knife is exposed to winter air or sap from fresh greenery. At 0.68 ounces, the bottle is easy to store in a drawer or tool kit, providing a dependable way to keep your knives ready throughout the holidays and beyond.
Rust Remover
Case Eraser Set
The Case Eraser Set is a practical way to keep carbon steel pocket knives clean and well-maintained throughout the holiday season, especially when moisture, fingerprints, and sap from fresh greenery can leave blades stained or spotted. This two-piece set includes a coarse eraser for removing rust, tarnish, and stubborn discoloration, and a fine eraser for smoothing and polishing the steel afterward, restoring a clean, even finish without harming the edge. Each block measures 3.25 inches long, making them easy to keep in a drawer or maintenance kit, and both work with simple, controlled strokes along the blade. Regular touch-ups with the coarse and fine erasers help preserve carbon steel during winter use, keeping your traditional folders looking sharp and performing smoothly through decorating, gift prep, and everyday carry.
Knife Sharpening
Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is an excellent tool for keeping pocket knives performing their best through the holiday season, especially when gift-opening, package prep, and winter moisture can dull or wear down an edge. Its adjustable 15°- 30° angle system and rotating Tri-Brasive handle, featuring 320 and 600 grit diamond plates along with a fine ceramic stone, make it easy to restore everything from lightweight slipjoints to thicker modern folders with clean, consistent results. The V-Block clamp holds each knife securely while you work, and the guided slide rod ensures smooth, controlled sharpening passes, even for users with little sharpening experience. Whether you’re maintaining a kitchen knife or keeping an EDC folder ready for holiday chores, the Precision Adjust delivers repeatable, reliable performance in a stable benchtop setup.
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
Expert Reviewed
T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.