Cleaning up the oldies

S

Snotwad

Joined
Oct 3, 2006
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This may seem like some dumb questions, but answers from those more knowledgeable could prevent a really dumb move and a very costly error. I would like to clean the crud and rust out of some folders and clean 'em up in general. The channel where the blade is parked (while off duty) is to narrow to get a brush down in there, so I was thinking of using a solvent. Question: Will chemicals like mineral sprits/paint thinner or spray carburetor cleaner harm the plastic handles of Buck knives? What do y'all use for a general purpose solvent and cleaner? I'd prefer something that was non-flammable or explosive as I'd like to keep my eyebrows and hair :-) I have a large tumbler that has a plastic barrel so I was also thinking of using it to tumble a knife (one at a time) in a medium that would clean and polish. Any thoughts on what to use for that?
 
I prefer WD-40 for cleaning my knives. (It also takes scuff marks off laptop computers).

I would not tumble it. The medium can get caught in places that you don't want stuff caught.

An acid brush will get down in the crevices (you might have to do some scissor cutting to the bristles). A popsicle stick works, too.

Strong solvents will attack the scales.
 
I, too, wouldn't recommend the tumbler. I use spray gun degreaser, likr Powdr-blaster and the phenolic/composition "dental picks" that you can buy whereever you buy gun cleaning supplies. A wooden match stick works, too.

Jack
 
Oh, yeah, whatever you use, WD-40 (which works), carb cleaner, gun scrubber, doesn't matter, just be sure to oil the joints when you get done. All these thngs are cleaners, not lubricants.

Jack
 
WD 40 is good for taking the sticky glue off of new items - I've used it to get the price tags off of new crystal, pots and pans, and lexan flat wear from camping stores.
 
And those cans of "compressed air" that are usually used for blowing junk out of your keyboard, etc. are a great aid as well.
 
Iv'e used running hot water to loosen built-up crud...And sorta blast out dirt ect..No harm done yet,but I have only did it to one knife..
 
gojo hand cleaner and a stiff bristle tooth brush does pretty good too...
 
Warriorsociologist said:
Ballistol. You'll hate the smell, but it will amaze you.
Click to expand...
shudder...:barf: you got a point though.
But i rarely use it. the smell of WD-40 on the other hand I like. :D
both work though. I use a small brush, and a couple of pipe cleaners and toothpicks as well.

Peter
 
Any solvent you use has the potential of harming the glue used to hold the inlays on. Be carefull! Depending on when the knife was made and what model it is, the inlay pins are sometimes functional and sometimes decorative. Do not assume that all inlay pins provide a mechanical connection of the inlays to the frame/blade. You can sometimes tell which is which by looking for the blind end of the rivet to be rolled over against the frame inside the blade slot on folders. Fixed blades (124, 401, 402 etc.) usually have rivets that go through the handle all the way but loosening the glue is still not a good idea if you don't want the inlay to lift.
 
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