Blade Maintenance

sunburst

sunburst

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
912
I was cleaning a handful of knives tonight and was wondering how often most folks do a maintenance on their knives (about every 2 months for me) ..I am a Simichrome, Ren Wax kinda guy and have a lot of faith in those products.

I am a little puzzled here lately with what seems like a quick retarnishing of the bolsters and springs even though a layer of Ren Wax is applied. The tarnish cleans up without a problem once I use the Simichrome and restores that minty look I have come to expect.

I guess I was just wondering if ya'll see the same thing I do..?

Thanks,

Sunburst
 
Do you have some Celluloid knives nearby????
 
Yes I do, there are not many but as an example I might have all the harness jacks in one drawer which may include one or two celluloids..
 
UH OH Better seperate those celluloids quick. Thats a sure sign something is breaking down. They release acid when decompositon starts. You'll see the tops of the blades start to discolor first, where they are exposed above the handle. The handles won't show signs right off, then after a while small cracks will appear, then larger ones. Theres no stopping it, once it starts the knife is a goner. Its a good idea to keep petroleum products of any kind away from old celluloids as contact with oils etc seems to start the process going. If other knives are nearby in a closed space, it'll ruin them too if they are celluloids, and any other blades nearby will quickly oxidize.
 
I've also heard from some experienced people that you shouldn't wax celluloid, as it seals in any residual volatiles. I keep them in the dark in loose rolls, and have no problems, but I should separate them. I had one in a glass case that the morning sun hit for an hour or two, and it started to darken the bolsters, but since I put it back in the safe, it's been fine for a year.
 
Hmmm that doesn't sound good...I will seperate the celluloid's from the others when I get home tonight..And just to be safe I will keep the wax off the celluloids as well.

I promised myself a long time ago that I was not going to purchase any more cell's but they make so many dang nice models that I broke my promise...

Very much appreciated,

Sunburst
 
I'm the same way, sunburst. Incurable lust for pretty baubles! I've only had one knife that had seriously deteriorating celluloid. I bought it knowing about it, and had it rehandled - -with celluloid!! Duh!!
 
I picked up a bottle of A. G. Russell's "Rust Free" silicone, and have found it works really well for keeping brass bolsters from tarnishing, among other things. It won't help your celluloid breakdown (sounds like a great band name) but it might keep the metal cleaner looking longer.

As for the base question, about twice a year I go through stuff and make sure nothing is amiss. When I handle them (regularly) I touch them up and put them away clean.

-- Sam
 
What i have come to love and use it on all my guns and knives is a product called Corrosion X. This stuff works great you can look it up on Google.
i put it on and let it sit for a bit and rubb it off so its dry to the toutch, you can't rubb hard enough to get it all off so it leaves a thin film behind it bonds to metal like a magnet. The best part it's not too expensive and its guaranteed or you get your hard earned money back

PS: i dont sell the stuff..... just like to use it!
 
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