How clean SAK w/ altimeter?

[mizedog]

Hello all,
First post here as I'm hoping to get some insight. I just bought a used SAK Altimeter Plus knife on the bay. It looked just dirty, but now that I have it in my hands, it looks like dried blood on the knife! I would expect a soaking in bleach would kill any scaries out of the scales and tight places I can't get to like the toothpick, tweeters, etc. But, I'm concered about the electronics. There is no battery in there.

I've given it the best scrubbing I can with carefully applied alcohol. Any other suggestions on how to get this clean enough to consider safe?

 

[mizedog]

Incidentally, the inscription on the main blade is the name of a blood bank in Zuric Germany! Maybe it IS blood, or dried ketchup.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

"Bleach kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and mold/mildew."
Is that enough? if there are 1000000 Germs (not so unlikely) 1000 will survive the bleach.
If it wouldn't be plastic scales I would treat the SAK in a pressure cooker in addition to the bleach.
Ultrasonic cleaning before the bleach would be good for sure because bleach can not penetrate every gunk where germs might be hiding in.
Any way to remove the electronics? If not seal it at the edges with silicone before cleaning.

How about returning it to the seller? I think ebay will side with you if somebody tried to drop some biohaz stuff on you. Probably illegal.
Just imagine what would happen if a politician or businessman would have received something like this in the mail...

 

[MJF]

Lick the blade...if it tastes like copper, it's probably blood. If it tastes like Ketchup, it's probably Ketchup.

(Please don't actually do this)

 

[mizedog]

How about returning it to the seller? I think ebay will side with you if somebody tried to drop some biohaz stuff on you. Probably illegal.
Just imagine what would happen if a politician or businessman would have received something like this in the mail...

Thanks for the idea. I did use bleach on my last used SAK purchase, but was afraid to on the altimeter. I just called Victorinox to ask if the scales can be re-attached after removeal for cleaning. They just suggested I send the knife to them for service/cleaning, plus a $5 check. They will make sure all is working, replace the scales if necessary, clean and return it. That sounds like cheap insurance to me. I just have to be willing to wait 2-3 weekds for turnardound time.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Thanks for the idea. I did use bleach on my last used SAK purchase, but was afraid to on the altimeter. I just called Victorinox to ask if the scales can be re-attached after removeal for cleaning. They just suggested I send the knife to them for service/cleaning, plus a $5 check. They will make sure all is working, replace the scales if necessary, clean and return it. That sounds like cheap insurance to me. I just have to be willing to wait 2-3 weekds for turnardound time.

$5 sounds excellent. :thumbup: