Maintenance & The Underhill Guarantee
Maintenance & The Underhill Guarantee
Built to Work. Built to Last.
At Underhill’s Forge, I don’t just sell knives; I provide tools meant to be passed down through generations. High-performance steels like 80CrV2, 1084, and 15N20 offer superior strength and edge retention, but they require proper care to stay in peak condition.
The Golden Rules
- Hand Wash & Dry Immediately: Never, under any circumstances, put a handcrafted knife in the dishwasher. The high heat and chemicals will destroy the handle scales and ruin the temper of the steel.
- Keep it Oiled: High-carbon steel will rust if left in a humid environment or put away wet. Apply a light coat of food-safe mineral oil or blade wax to the steel regularly to create a barrier against moisture.
- The “Patina” vs. Rust: Over time, your blade will develop a “patina”—a gray or blue-ish tint. This is normal and actually helps protect the steel. Red or orange spots are active rust and should be addressed immediately.
- Pivot Care (Folders): For the Huckleberry or other folders, a single drop of pivot oil every few months will keep the action smooth and prevent grit from wearing down the hardware.
- Storage: For long-term storage, keep the knife outside of its leather sheath to prevent moisture from pitting the steel.
- The Florida Factor: Avoid leaving your knives in a hot vehicle. Extreme Florida heat can cause wood and resin handles to shift, crack, or delaminate from the steel.
The Lifetime Warranty
I stand behind every piece of gear that leaves my bench.
- What’s Covered: Any failure due to defects in my craftsmanship or the materials used is covered for life. If a blade chips under normal use or a handle scale fails, I will fix or replace it.
- The “Don’t Be Stupid” Rule: My warranty does not cover intentional abuse. If you use your knife as a pry bar, a screwdriver, or try to chop through hardened metal or bone, the damage is on you.
- Repairs: I will repair almost any damage. If you damage your knife doing something it wasn’t built for, I can still fix it, but a repair fee will apply.
- Returns: Because every knife is a handcrafted custom tool, I do not offer returns.
The Lifetime “Spa Treatment”
A knife should always be ready for the next job. As long as you own an Underhill blade, I am here to keep it that way.
- Free Sharpening: Send your knife back anytime for a professional edge touch-up at no labor charge.
- Blade & Handle Care: During sharpening, I will also clean up surface rust and refinish handle scales within reason.
- Sheath Service: Since the sheath is an extension of the knife, I’ll provide a complimentary “tune-up”—re-mink oiling the leather, re-wet forming for fit, and fixing a loose stitch or two.
- Note: I cannot provide free repairs for sheaths that have been completely cut through or ripped open.
- The Cost: You cover the shipping both ways; I’ll handle the work.
Underhill’s Forge | 352-875-3520 | Bradford County, FL