Cleaning FRN & G-10 handles?

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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I have several Spyderco knives with FRN handles ( fiberglass reinforced Nylon). A few of them that I carry and use are yellow FRN handles which over time tend to get their bright color somewhat dulled and dirtied.

The last time I cleaned one of my FRN handled blades I used "Bar Keeper's Friend" with mixed results. But I just thought I would pick the brains of my BF brothers and see if any of you have come up with a great way to clean FRN handles. I want to make them look as new as possible.

Also is there a good way to clean G-10 handles as well
 
I am a bit apprehensive about using highly abrasive cleansers on that type of material. I was wondering if they didn't have some type of chemical based cleanser which would take the dirt and grime without the harsh, sandpaper effects of cleansers like Comet & Ajax.

The Bar Keeper's Friend which I talked about in my opening thread is a cleanser you can buy in grocery stores. It is usually in the same section of the store where you find the Ajax & Comet. The one thing I don't like about BKF for use on Spyderco FRN knives is that it tends to tarnish the polished look off of the blade itself.

One day I tried Flitz polish and got some weird results. I just had a lady friend tell me about a new chemical cleaner out there called "AWESOME". I am hoping that some of you might have stumbled on to something along those lines and I am wondering what a cleaner along those lines would do.

I am also wondering if there wouldn't be some kind of home concoction that might work well.
 
Try baking soda and a toothbrush, it does not have the chemicals in it, and if it is safe to brush your teeth and cook with, then it should not harm your handles.
 
BJE said:
Try baking soda and a toothbrush, it does not have the chemicals in it, and if it is safe to brush your teeth and cook with, then it should not harm your handles.
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That's an interesting suggestion. My mother used to mix baking soda with vinegar to clean copper with and it worked well. I might just give that a try today. I bet there is probably something you could mix it with that would really lift dirt and grime.

My main objective is not to hurt the original skin of the molded surface. This could be on the right track. thanks BJE
 
Hi, JD. Since every FRN handled knife I can remember owning was black or dark gray I never thought about cleaning them (thinking now how filthy they might have been when I was cutting an apple or opening something to eat. :barf: )

However I have seen light colored nylon discolor over time so wouldn't be surprised if a bright colored FRN handle darkened some after a while. Probably UV can do it, perhaps oils even just what's on your skin could as well although I don't know for sure. Maybe there's an engineer or polymer chemist in the house who knows .... meantime I'd just look at it as "character" like patina on a blade.
 
JD, try using electrical contact cleaner from radio shack, I use it on my spyders occassionally and definitely after I dress out a deer. Plus it is an aerosol so that helps blow the nasties out. Bigk6
 
Dish soap, steaming but not boiling hot water, and a decent toothbrush= like new FRN every time for me.
 
I am also wondering if any of you have ever used some of the commerical liquid grocery store cleaners like Forumula 409, Fantastic and so forth. I have heard there is a cleaner that can be found in hardwares and paint stores called Simple GREEN.

I've never ever used these type of cleaners because when I have something stubborn to clean I use Tri-Sodium Phosphate ( TSP) and I have always had great results but I am afraid to use in on folding knives because I seen the stuff taint a beautiful stainless steel counter once.

But let me know if any of you all have tried them on FRN or G-10.
 
Now in the last year I have found a product that preserves and restores G-10 handles. I had an old Golden Colorado made Renegade C-23 model that had been in my safe for some time. The G-10 was looking discolored, dried out and somewhat faded.

I used a product that I got from the Spyderco Factory OUTLET. It is called Ballistol. It truly rejuvenated and revitalized the G-10 where it looked like it was fresh from the factor.

Now as a matter of routine I take all my G-10 handled knives about once a year or so and clean them with Ballistol. That stuff is great lubrication and has some cleaning properties as well.
 
For the FRN, baking Soda and Formula 409. 409 is really good at cutting oily grime.

G10? I have no experience with it yet.

Next question ;-)

Rus
 
BJE said:
How did the baking soda work out for you?
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I never did try the baking soda. I ended up using the scalding hot dishwashing water/soap and it worked on one. I used rubbing alchohol on another one with differing but good results.

That other product called Bar Keeper's Friend has worked all right on a couple of cleaning jobs I've done.

That's about all I've done up till now. I am a little taken back that I got as few of replies on this thread as I did :confused:
 
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