Extremely Nooby Question About Cleaning BK16

S

Sabin

Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
4
Hi guys,

I am new to knives in general, and just got my first blade - a Becker BK16. I just used it in the yard to see if I could make a campfire - turns out I can! I did a lot of searching about how to clean it afterwards, and I see people recommending "wiping it down" (does that mean a dry wipe, or with soapy water?), then using mineral oil. It seems a lot of the blades in question have been stripped of their black coating as well.

If all I did was baton and strip a few branches, how should I clean the blade before putting it back in the cardboard slip it came in? It still has it's black coating, and I don't plan on taking it off today.

  • Should I use soapy water, or is that unnecessary and has the possibility to introduce rust?
  • Should I go out and buy mineral oil and use it on the blade today?
  • If so, do I wipe the black coating with the mineral oil, or just the edge of the blade? Should I be taking the handle off during cleaning?

I just want to put it away safely and cleanly. Any advice you guys can lend would be appreciated.

Thank you!
 
Just slip it back into sleeve. It will be just fine. Just use it often and you will be warm and well fed and have a happy blade.
 
Congratulations on the excellent knife!

I'ld use soapy water anytime, or a mild solvent if there is a lot of gummy sap on the blade. Simple Green is non-toxic, or mineral spirits works to cut all sorts of grease and goo. I would follow up after mineral spirits with soapy water or window cleaner though. Any vegetable oil should do until you find some mineral oil, and wipe the whole blade. If the handle gets especially gunked up, then by all means remove the scales to clean and lubricate underneath. The coating will protect the tang for a very long time under normal use, but if you strip the handle, and spend time near the ocean, you may want to clean underneath regularly.

I would only be concerned about toxic solvents if you use it in food prep, btw.
Welcome & Enjoy!
 
Yup. Soapy water will clean it good.
Make sure its dry when you put it up and you should be good to go.
I'll wipe mine down with mineral oil if I don't plan on using it soon.

You can just wipe it on your jeans and call it good! :D
Seriously though. You don't have to over think it. Just put it away as you would any other tool.

And welcome to the forum!
Let's see a pic of your new knife!
 
Good choice. You can use soap & water all you want no harm. Just dry well & add a light ,very light coat of the oil of your choice. I use a rag with Rem oil but over the years it has seen many different oils.
 
clean it with fire to be sure... :>
 
Hi guys,

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for all of the advice! Went out to the yard today to try and make a campfire. Failed pretty hard, so I threw some hand sanitizer on it, and yay, fire.

Got a set of micarta scales. Lookin good!
 
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