Cleaning an EDC folding knife

S

Sinvicta

Joined
Mar 28, 2005
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I have a general question on cleaning EDC knives. What is the best way to clean out all the lint and gunk that seems to accumulate when the knife is carried in a pocket? I have my little Victorinox on my key chain that could use a good cleaning. The little scissors always seem to stick. I also generally carry a larger Leatherman or Spyderco clipped to my pocket.

Can one clean a knife with soap and water, a toothbrush, etc., then either dry it with a hair dryer or maybe dip it in isopropyl alcohol to chase away the water? Does one really need to clean it, or does keeping a knife oiled enough? I use Tuf-glide myself.

In a related question - a friend was given a Buck Rush assisted opening knife because the previous owner said it was defective and didn't open properly. One attempt at opening it and the reason was obvious- you could here the sand or grit crunch as the blade pivoted. Can the knife be cleaned without disassembling it? Will a liberal application of oil eventually work the grit out or will that ruin the mechanism?

Thanks for any assistance.
 
I just rinse them out in the sink with hot water and dishsoap, then let it dry and lube it. Sometimes I've used SAK tweezers to scrape out lint, but that's about as much as I've needed. Canned air for cleaning computer stuff might be a good idea too.
 
Try the dishwasher? I've ran my SAKs through the dish washer. Have an air compressor? Try that to get grit out after you use dish soap and water.
 
I have put a little liquid soap like dawn and then ran hot water thru the knife paying special attention to pivot area and back spring if a lock back. Then shake it dry and use a blow dryer. I then will spray some WD40 into the knife as WD40 is really a water displacer. I then wipe down and let the excess drain off by opening the knife and let sit for a few hours and then reverse the knife up side to down finishing draining. Then, I take a fluffy pipe cleaner to clean out the knife even further.Make sure the pipe cleaner is not the type that has little wires coming out the cleaner. Then I will lube with Mil-Tec, Ballistol or Blue Lube.
good luck
 
A Q-tip and cigarette lighter fluid. The fluid lifts stuff out and even breaks up a little gunked up oil. The Q tip lifts the lint and gunk out. Then lubricate.
 
With a SAK, you shouldn't have much problems with soap and water. I do keep mine lubed (have used all types at that!) but I really couldn't tell you why. They just don't rust!
 
Soap, toothbrush, tap water is what I do, use some toothpaste if there are stuff soap can't get off.
 
just dont immerse in boiling water, the sides will come detached! learned it the hard way several years back. ....duh....
 
Be careful with lighter fluid or acetone. Some plastics will melt!
I clean my "precious" knives with rubbing alcohol and compressed air. I then use mineral oil for lube and protection against corrosion for carbon knives.
I use 2 knives at work. A Kershaw Blackout that I carry in my pocket for general tasks, and an Opinel #8 for when I need something Real sharp. These knives are used extensively everyday of the week. Once a week I use acetone to clean off any glue residue from packing tape and sharpen on a medium Arkansas stone, followed by a cardboard stropping to remove any trace of burr, spending about 5 minutes on each knife. Once in a while I give the kershaw a bath in dish soap and water and let it drip dry.
 
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