Cleaning the old ones.

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
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Another little snow storm had me inside again after the obligatory shoveling the walk, and a walk in the snowy woods with the grandkids. I thought I'd use the cold wet afternoon to clean and oil the old pocket knives.

For many years now I've used a simple, if unorthodox means of cleaning my pocket knives. Matches. Out of a regular cheap paper book of matches. Tear out a match and you have a very nice little paper dust mop with the torn end getting down in the blade cavities. I used to watch grandad and dad clean their pocket knives this way.

After wiping out all the dust and debris, I like to dip the end of a torn match in a drop of Hoppys gun oil and wipe the ends of the blade tangs with the blades open. A little wiped on the inside of the springs helps keep rust at bay in damp conditions.

I guess I figure no matter where on earth I am, theres always a book of matches around. Every bar, resturant, convienence store counter, even bum on the corner, has a match or two. I always keep a couple of books of matches in my coat pockets, they do come in handy for lighting a pipe.

Paper matches and hoppys gun oil. In an emergency you could get a bit of oil off the dip stick.

Not a bad way to spend a cold wet afternoon, when you throw in a small glass of Captain Morgans spiced rum and a pipefull of air cured burley.:D
 
That would work for me. My dad used to let me have some of his pipe-cleaners for the job. :D
 
jacknife,

It seems I always learn something new from you no matter what.. Paper matches and old Hoppes #9,, I love it.

I used in the past(in fact just the other day) q-tips and mineral oil + 1 oz Speyburn single malt scotch for every cleaned knife.:D However, I think I like your idea better, except for the rum of coarse.. Thanks for the idea Partner!
 
Hmm, great idea. I can save my pipe cleaners for gun cleaning and the occasional pipe. ;) Now that you've mentioned it, the match mop seems like it would be a better tool, too.
 
Good for you Jacknife! I thought I was the only one who used this method any more. My grandfather showed it to me years ago. It's a great why to get rid of pocket lint.

Dave
 
That's actually exactly the same way I'm cleaning and oiling my knives!
Taught to me by my grandfather, as it was.

Only, when I know I'm going to use the knife more for food (peeling/cutting up fruit and vegetables), I tend to use a good quality olive oil. Doesn't degrade and go bad, completely safe to eat and doesn't give any nasty taste to the food. Gives good rust protection and is a surprisingly good lubricator (providing you don't let the knife lie unused for a very, very long time - in case it gunks up a bit). AND, added to that, is actually a very good oil to give those natural scale materials some tender, love and caring. Bone and stag profits from this kind of oil.

/ Karl
 
I find myself using mineral oil for the natural handle materials and steel, a pair of pliers to pinch the heads of q-tips so they fit in tight places, and some very, very fine jewelers paper to give the bolsters a quick shine. If I find some matches i'll give it a try.
 
I use the Outers 445, from a old metal squeeze bottle my father gave to me. Little stuff like that, makes a mundane undertaking a real theraputic time passer.
 
Thanks for the great tips everyone. I use a toothpick and q-tip a lot. Never used match stick but will certainly try it soon. I use an old soft-bristled toothbrush for cleaning 'gunk' out of the crevices in stag and jigged-bone handles. For little pen knives the bristles work well inside the knife but they are not long enough for bigger folders.
 
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