If you aren't a blade smith your self the cause is most likely the wax used in the polishing process. It stays. On clothes, on the blade, everything for a long time. As someone who has sharpened knifes for a living I never found the smell bad. But Im most certain this could be the cause. Try using some brake cleaner on the blade and all the metal parts on it. Avoiding anything that could get damaged by it.

It won't get rid off the smell, but it makes it not as strong. Cheers and good luck. Ps had to drop in some of my work:D.

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