Emerson cleaning and maintenance

J

Jake-n-Bake

Joined
Jun 16, 2015
Messages
93
Hello! I just finished cleaning and reassembling my mini commander, and I was curious, when you clean your Emerson (or any other folding knife) what lubricant do you use, if any, for the pivot area and washers? I usually use a small amount of caliper grease and it works somewhat well, but after about a week it seems to get less smooth. Today I tried a small amount of 3-in1 oil but it didn't work well at all, it's not smooth and some got on the liner lock, causing it to stick. So what does everyone else use when they clean their Emerson knives? Any help is appreciated!
 
Honestly, Emerson's don't need much of whatever you use, IMO, regardless of what you use. Overdoing it kinda gums it up it seems. I use fluid film, mostly cause I have it and it works better than wd40 lol
 
After initial break-in, I usually clean off all contact areas. Washers, pivot, blade tang, then put it back together dry.
 
Jake-n-Bake said:
Hello! I just finished cleaning and reassembling my mini commander, and I was curious, when you clean your Emerson (or any other folding knife) what lubricant do you use, if any, for the pivot area and washers? I usually use a small amount of caliper grease and it works somewhat well, but after about a week it seems to get less smooth. Today I tried a small amount of 3-in1 oil but it didn't work well at all, it's not smooth and some got on the liner lock, causing it to stick. So what does everyone else use when they clean their Emerson knives? Any help is appreciated!
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A small amount of white lithium grease that you used is fine for the pivot.
 
Light coat of Remoil here. I found that this is as close to dry as you can get while still lubricating & rust protecting your blade tang.
 
I just got a gentleman jim in new from emerson that was stiff as hell to open, that even the wave feature wouldn't work. And when I would loosen the pivot a little, i would start to get side to side play. So I took it apart, and cleaned it. Then I applied this grease that I use on my 1911s and it now is smooth and flies open with the wave.
 
Frog Lube with a hair dryer to cure into the metal turns it into a liquid state and wipe off excess good to go.
 
Lots of good ideas! Thanks for all the replies. I tried it dry recently but I didn't like it at all. So far caliper grease has worked the best, but there is a slight squeak when opening or closing. I am going to experiment with the ideas listed here.
 
I've used CRK flourinated grease, Mobil-1, synthetic gear oil, Frog Lube, CLP and machine gun lube - Emersons seem to accept them all.
 
gooeytek said:
After initial break-in, I usually clean off all contact areas. Washers, pivot, blade tang, then put it back together dry.
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Same here. I don't really do much to them. I've carried and used my ETAK everyday for 9 months and I still haven't taken it apart. Only needed to make a minor adjustment to the pivot.
 
I use Loctite anti-seize lubricant. Similar stuff the Emerson's come from factory. It does break in but never gets super smooth. My theory is that it helps prevent lock wear as you can't flick it hard and that's why EKI is using it.
 
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