Cleaning a vintage pinned knife?

N

Nephron44

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
979
Hello all!

For Father’s Day I got an old Vietnam era paratrooper switchblade knife. It’s in decent condition, just had a some patina and some dirt/grit. The action is a bit slow (expected) and the safety switch is a bit sticky, otherwise it works fine.

The knife is pinned, so what’s the best way to go about cleaning it thoroughly without taking it apart?

Appreciate the help!
 
Spraying with wd40 to flush it out, then spraying remoil into it to lube it? That is what I would try. The automatic knife forum guys would know.
 
1) Canned Air / Duster
2) Flush with WD-40
3) Tooth pick and Q-tips for anything that seems stuck.
4) Re-Oil

Edit - Also, that model was never the snappiest, so don't feel bad if it's still slow after cleaning.
 
Last edited:
tltt said:
1) Canned Air / Duster
2) Flush with WD-40
3) Tooth pick and Q-tips for anything that seems stuck.
4) Re-Oil

Edit - Also, that model was never the snappiest, so don't feel bad if it's still slow after cleaning.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I don’t expect it to be snappy at all given its age and the spring mechanism. I just want to make sure it is properly maintained. Thanks again!
 
You may want to forego the oil, and just use an extra squirt of WD 40 after cleaning. American autos often work best with a thinner lubricant.
 
If there's dried up, oxidized crud that you can't get out, you might want to get a can of Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber. It works shockingly well on intricate firearm actions and takes mere seconds to work. It leaves no lubrication behind, so maybe pick up a can of their Synthetic Gun Oil spray.
 
+1 for Gun Scrubber. Tony Bose posted on here that he used kerosene to clean the knives he made. Swish it around in different positions, let it dry, then oil the action. It does not stain handle material. WD40 dries and leaves a gummy residue that can cause binding. There are better options for lubrication. Mineral oil works well on the knives I carry every day for lubrication and is safe to cut food. Mobil 1 0w-20w adheres better if it will not be used to cut food. Mobil 1 is a good lubricant for EDC pistols for those that carry.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Careful with Gun Scrubber on those plastic handles! It can melt them.
WD 40 does not dry and leave a gummy residue. I have tested this specifically and can prove it.
Click to expand...
Well, I guess we have quite different life experiences Bill. Glad it works for you. In my actual use of it going back into the late 60's/'70's when it was touted for use on guns, WD40 is among the very worst of all lubricants I have ever used because it dries up and leaves a gummy residue on pistols, rifles, shotguns, and knives. That is from first hand use of it. For any purpose for which I need a lubricant, there always is a better choice than WD40. Will say that it is very good for dissolving and removing road tar.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Careful with Gun Scrubber on those plastic handles! It can melt them.
WD 40 does not dry and leave a gummy residue. I have tested this specifically and can prove it.
Click to expand...
My plan is to get any big gunk out, spray it down with WD40, clean more gunk out, flush it with rubbing alcohol to get any debris and left over WD40, and lube it up with Rem oil.
 
jeffbird said:
Well, I guess we have quite different life experiences Bill. Glad it works for you. In my actual use of it going back into the late 60's/'70's when it was touted for use on guns, WD40 is among the very worst of all lubricants I have ever used because it dries up and leaves a gummy residue on pistols, rifles, shotguns, and knives. That is from first hand use of it. For any purpose for which I need a lubricant, there always is a better choice than WD40.
Click to expand...
WD40 isn’t a primary lubricant. It’s designed to last just long enough to get things loose and get rid of moisture. Then an actual primary lubricant should be applied.
 
Nephron44 said:
WD40 isn’t a primary lubricant. It’s designed to last just long enough to get things loose and get rid of moisture. Then an actual primary lubricant should be applied.
Click to expand...
We agree on that last point. However, the WD40 company disputes the "myth" (their words) that it is not a lubricant on in their FAQ's. They also disclose that it is 50% mineral spirits, a solvent, to which they add their secret lubricating herbs and spices. Anyway, glad it works for you.

A QUESTION OF LUBRICATION​

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.

Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.


WHAT'S STODDARD SOLVENT?​

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product contains Stoddard Solvent.

Fact: Over the past few decades, the name Stoddard Solvent was synonymous with all mineral spirits. Today, the mineral spirits found in products like ours are more refined and processed (see hydrogenation, hydrotreating and distillation techniques) providing mixtures with varying boiling points, cleaning ability, and chemical composition.

The catchall phrase “Stoddard Solvent” is no longer adequate to tell the proper story. WD-40 Multi-Use Product does indeed have 50% mineral spirits, but they are refined and purified for specific characteristics needed to meet today’s performance, regulatory and safety requirements.

WD-40 Myths & Fun Facts | Facts About WD-40 Products | WD-40

There are many myths and fun facts about WD-40 uses and history. Learn more about WD-40 and how millions have used it as a lubricant, engine degreaser, rust removal product, corrosion inhibitor and more. Find out more about creative and effective uses of WD-40 at our official website.
www.wd40.com www.wd40.com

And the company technical sheet also states it is a lubricant:

 
When I was in training to become USMC armorer gallon cans of WD40 were common to refill pump sprayers. Just be sure to get rid of any excess - blow out with air or wipe down. THIN FILM. And then it is good stuff.

PS: It fixed the back door from being super sticky with key to go in or out and same with the catch. It's like new now.
 
jeffbird said:
We agree on that last point. However, the WD40 company disputes the "myth" (their words) that it is not a lubricant on in their FAQ's. They also disclose that it is 50% mineral spirits, a solvent, to which they add their secret lubricating herbs and spices. Anyway, glad it works for you.

A QUESTION OF LUBRICATION​

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.

Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.


WHAT'S STODDARD SOLVENT?​

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product contains Stoddard Solvent.

Fact: Over the past few decades, the name Stoddard Solvent was synonymous with all mineral spirits. Today, the mineral spirits found in products like ours are more refined and processed (see hydrogenation, hydrotreating and distillation techniques) providing mixtures with varying boiling points, cleaning ability, and chemical composition.

The catchall phrase “Stoddard Solvent” is no longer adequate to tell the proper story. WD-40 Multi-Use Product does indeed have 50% mineral spirits, but they are refined and purified for specific characteristics needed to meet today’s performance, regulatory and safety requirements.

WD-40 Myths & Fun Facts | Facts About WD-40 Products | WD-40

There are many myths and fun facts about WD-40 uses and history. Learn more about WD-40 and how millions have used it as a lubricant, engine degreaser, rust removal product, corrosion inhibitor and more. Find out more about creative and effective uses of WD-40 at our official website.
www.wd40.com www.wd40.com

And the company technical sheet also states it is a lubricant:

Click to expand...
Which is why I said it isn’t a PRIMARY lubricant. If it didn’t have any lubrication properties at all, it wouldn’t be very good at getting stuff unstuck. However, the additions of solvents and other things means it does its job and calls it quits; it unsticks things, but then does not keep them unstuck forever, which is why a primary lubricant should be applied.

WD40 technically is a form of lubricant, just not a primary lubricant and therefore cannot be relied upon for long term protection/lubrication.
 
I have a small squirt bottle that I sprayed WD 40 in about 15 years ago. All the carrier has evaporated and all that is left is simply light mineral oil. No gumming.
I, too have used WD 40 since the very early 1970s-as a professional: gunsmith, engineer, jeweler, engraver, cutler, and musician. I use WD 40 on my bass guitar strings. If it gummed, I wouldn't do that.
There are better lubricants, but as I said-many American automatics work better with a lighter lubricant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top