Do you dissasemble knives you receive in a trade?

Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
1,453
Here's why I ask. I was cleaning one of my folders, when the thought occurred to me that I've never really stripped apart my "ABC" Folder (which I received in a trade). So I dismantled the whole thing and got quite a surprise.

Between the scales and the metal was quite a bit of moisture- enough where rust spots had begun to form. I scrubbed it all down with WD-40 to remove the rust spots, let it dry, then put a drop of oil at the pivot, and reassembled.

I should say up front that I received the knife from a person whose reputation I trust, and don't think he was trying to pull a fast one on me. I just don't think he was aware of what lay beneath the scales. I knowingly acquired the knife used, the blade was in great shape, as was the overall condition of the knife, but this thing had obviously been near some water :grumpy: .

So my question is, do the rest of you completely dismantle a folder when you pick it up in a trade, or just check the overall condition of the blade, and check for scratches and scrapes on the scales? geegee
 
I take apart all my knives, just because I want to get them extra clean.

I really prefer to buy new knives since I'm kind of OC about other people having their grubby hands on my knives. I've only bought once from a selling forum, and the knife that was described as having been carried a few times and NIB (yes, a contradiction I should have noted) wasn't exactly mint. The fact that so many people mis-describe LNIB knives as NIB really turns me off of buying knives from individuals.

I can't even stand the "other person's house" smell, so I took apart that knife that I got and gave it a good rubbing-down with Tuf-Cloth. Now at least it smells like one of mine.
 
If it comes apart I take it apart, used, traded, new, it doesn't matter.

In fact I've posted pictures of disassembled knives for those who don't take their knives apart.

I have a knife repair toolkit, it includes a 10X Loupe, a set of Torx drivers, Allen Wrenches, Jewelers Screwdrivers, lubricant, pick, lintfree cloths, my stones and hones, assorted screws and clips, and other assorted cleaning and oiling things.
 
Yep, new or used, custom or production, makes no difference to me as they are coming apart. Always clean up the old lubricant and then reapply Sentry Tuff-Glide back to the pivot.
 
If I keep it for a while, I usually disassemble it at some point, but I usually don't for at least a week. Never once found rust on the inside of a knife. I guess I've been lucky.
 
I don't disassemble them (then again, I don't trade either :) ) but if I did, I would certainly disclose that fact if I decided to sell that knife in the future (something I haven't done yet either :) )...IMHO, it is VERY unethical to take a knife apart and not disclose that when it is put up for sale.

RL
 
Thats what I really like about the Sebenza, as CRK encourages the owners to take them apart for cleaning and maintenance. The custom makers I've talked with also have encouraged taking their knives apart, and of course they have also encouraged using the correct tool to do so! I recently purchased a set of Whia torx tools and have found them to be the absolute best (my opinion) of any I've used. Even the smallest tips do not deform with slight pressure as some seem to do.

Pocket grit can and will work it's way into the pivot joints of knives if not careful. Hot water and/or a pressure spray such as disc brake cleaner can clean it out but I rather take the knife down and give it a thourough inspection and cleaning.

You know I've been doing this for about 18 years now and you can learn a lot about the mechanics of knives from doing this!
 
Part of my new knife ritual is disassembly; I have to know how it's designed and how it works. Also, I want them oiled (and greased in the case of Kershaw / Onion SpeedSafes), loc-tited, and adjusted just so. I'm just not comfortable with a knife until I've done this. And I'll admit it, I've got the "my scent" hang-up, too. AlphaalphaPB, you're not alone. And I do acknowledge, although I don't (yet?) trade my knives away, it would only be right to let the other person know its been disassembled so they can judge for themselves whether any harm has been done, or whether - if collecting - they consider the intrinsic value of the knife to have dropped.
 
Back
Top