caring for a carbon steel blade

Blood, salty liquids, acidic solutions, or acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.) will rust your blade if left unwashed. Rinse and dry directly after contact with any of them, even when continuing with use.
If scrubbing is needed, use a plastic bristle brush.
Dry thoroughly, directly after washing. Air drying will cause your blade to rust.
The environment inside a dishwasher is very harsh. So, do not machine wash as it is harmful to the handle and can cause serious corrosion to the blade.
Your knife will patina over time. Some people like this look, but if you do not, use steel wool or a scratch-bright type pad to scrub with hot water and soap. This will remove the patina but will also slightly scratch your blade.
Once weekly, condition your knife using the Greiner Blades’ Conditioning Wax. (follow the directions for wax application below.) If you plan to store your knife for a while apply a liberal amount of wax to the blade and handle. This will prevent any moisture from getting to the blade.
Do not store your blade in its sheath long term, the leather prevents moisture from escaping, causing the blade to rust.

Sharpening

Your blade will need to be sharpened from time to time.
For blades that are just lightly dull use a ceramic honing rod.
For medium dull knives use an extra fine grit sharpening stone.
For very dull knives use the same steps as for medium dull knives except start with a medium grit stone. I recommend the DTM fine grit diamond stone and then the extra fine stone.
For sharpening instructions, I recommend Jason Knight’s YouTube videos on knife sharpening.

To remove dirt build-up, use a lightly water-damp cloth to wipe it off.
For a more thorough cleaning use your preferred leather cleaner.
Once a month apply a thin layer of Greiner Blades Conditioning Wax. Be sure your sheath is completely dry and then follow the directions for wax application below.
Avoid getting the sheath completely wet. This will make the leather supple; thus, causing it to lose its shape. This could lead to a loosening of your sheath, preventing it from holding your blade securely.

Greiner Blades Conditioning Wax is made with all food-safe and organic materials
Use a clean paper towel or rag to apply wax along the entire surface of your knife (blade and handle).
Wipe away excess wax with another clean paper towel.
For long-term storage, apply wax liberally to the entire surface of your knife. be sure that your entire blade is covered well. This will keep any moisture from getting to your blade, thus preventing rust.
For leather sheaths, apply a thin layer of wax using a clean paper towel or rag. Be sure to wipe off all excess wax with another clean paper towel or rag.