I thought I might open it and oil it, but...

M

m1ckDELTA

Joined
Jan 14, 2018
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There's actually evidence of some oil still on the knife! I know, it's a tiny drop and that's not evidence that the rest of the knife has anything remaining. Still, it's amazing any oil is left on the knife after so long. There's no reference to a web site anywhere on the packaging so it's pre WWW packaging. Somewhere in the mid-90s, perhaps?

This is my second Middleman. I bought an extra becuase it's the one I carry most and don't want to have go searching for another should my something happen to the one I'm carrying.

So, should I open it, oil it, and store it, or keep it in the package till ever I need it?

IMGP1029 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1037 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1036 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1033 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1031 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1035 by M. D., on Flickr


IMGP1032 by M. D., on Flickr


IMGP1034 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1030 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1038 by M. D., on Flickr
 
There won't be any moisture getting through that plastic, so if spotting or rust is your worry, I think you're fine leaving it. Leaving it also preserves resale value, should you ever want to sell it, and you know it's pretty well protected from drops/falls in that packaging, too, during, say, moving or something.

If it were me, though, I would take it out, clean it, sharpen it, and keep it ready to go. That's just my style, though.
 
It's nice to have spares, isn't it? :) It doesn't look like it's rusting, so it's probably fine. My only concern is if the backspring on the secondary blades is weak from being stored so long in a partially open position.
 
r8shell said:
It's nice to have spares, isn't it? :)
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Nice indeed, especially considering it cost me less than a new Chinese example. What?!?!



r8shell said:
It doesn't look like it's rusting, so it's probably fine. My only concern is if the backspring on the secondary blades is weak from being stored so long in a partially open position.
Click to expand...

I opened a blister/clam packed 108OT that was mid-90s to early aughts and the secondary blade springs were tighter than the main blade that was packaged in the fully open position.
 
m1ckDELTA said:
Still, it's amazing any oil is left on the knife after so long. .

So, should I open it, oil it, and store it, or keep it in the package till ever I need it?
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Not super amazing. Oil is not volatile at Room Temp.

If it were I, I suppose I might leave it as-is. It's pretty close to hermetically sealed and should stay as good there as anywhere else.
But on the other hand, a man's got to know his limitations, and I know that I can't stand to leave a knife unused. So, I'd probably open it and use it. :D ;)
 
Open, oil, sharpen, carry in a pocket full of coins and keys, use--that's what I end up doing, with no regrets. Then it finds its way to the back up shelf, ready to go if needed.

A great knife, congratulations!
 
m1ckDELTA said:
I opened a blister/clam packed 108OT that was mid-90s to early aughts and the secondary blade springs were tighter than the main blade that was packaged in the fully open position.
Click to expand...
I just brought it up because I've read threads where it's been suggested that a way to lighten up a strong pull is to leave a knife partially opened for a few days, with the backspring in its most stressed position. I've never had much luck doing that, but some folks report success. It made me wonder about knives spending decades like that. Based on your experience with your 108OT it sounds like it'll be fine.

As to your question about whether to open it: Since you have one you're using now and this one is a spare, it makes sense to leave it in the packaging. Or maybe you should open it and buy another one to keep in the packaging. A backup for your backup. :p
 
I would open it and oil it. My 34OT came in a package similar to that and had what appeared to be rust on the brass liners. Also on the springs. I was able to get most of it off with some folded up sand paper, and then oiled it. I think it will be ok, but I don't trust that plastic packaging. I think it might contribute to the knifes deterioration, instead of protecting it. At the very least it prevents one from properly maintaining the knife.

O.B.
 
It is nice to have it sealed in pre-WWW air, but I would open it, oil it up and take the pressure off the springs!
What good would it do to keep it sealed as a spare, lose your current knife, and find a knife with a weak spring!!
 
I agree with the open it crowd! You can oil it properly and store it closed, which is less stressful to the springs.
 
m1ckDELTA said:
There's actually evidence of some oil still on the knife! I know, it's a tiny drop and that's not evidence that the rest of the knife has anything remaining. Still, it's amazing any oil is left on the knife after so long. There's no reference to a web site anywhere on the packaging so it's pre WWW packaging. Somewhere in the mid-90s, perhaps?

This is my second Middleman. I bought an extra becuase it's the one I carry most and don't want to have go searching for another should my something happen to the one I'm carrying.

So, should I open it, oil it, and store it, or keep it in the package till ever I need it?

IMGP1029 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1037 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1036 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1033 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1031 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1035 by M. D., on Flickr


IMGP1032 by M. D., on Flickr


IMGP1034 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1030 by M. D., on Flickr

IMGP1038 by M. D., on Flickr
Click to expand...

If I was you I'd send it to me so you don't have to make this decision:D

you've already got one you've opened soso I probably leave it and display it if you keep it, but you just know that in doing this the package won't last forever.
you can get one of those special black cases they sell for action figures in clambshell packaging, this would preserve the plastic but then nobody could see it.

I really do think you should just send or gift it to someone who could use it.
 
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