Knife maintenance

[JohnnyRockets]

I've been told I should occasionally clean my assisted opening Columbia River lockblade knife and use CLP so that the mechanism works smoothly for ease of opening. I was thinking that canned air (like the type used to clean out the towers of computers) would be good for blowing the mechanism of the knife clean. Is that what others use?

 

[Cougar Allen]

 

[JohnnyRockets]

BTW, I live outside a major US city, but it's still very difficult (damn near impossible) to find a knife sharpening business close by - not for the Columbia River knife - a different knife I own needs sharpening, but none the less sharpening businesses are few and far between.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Canned air works very well indeed. What I do is use air to blow as much crud out of the pivot as possible, then use a small bowl of oil (veggie works) anddip the pivot end in. Hold the blade and the handle, and work the pivot- you'd be amazed how much black crap comes out.

 

[Lucky Bob]

BTW, I live outside a major US city, but it's still very difficult (damn near impossible) to find a knife sharpening business close by - not for the Columbia River knife - a different knife I own needs sharpening, but none the less sharpening businesses are few and far between.

And most would argue that's a good thing... the majority of knife sharpening places will just grind the hell out of your edge, especially if it's just a side business. I've seen hardware and locksmith stores that have signs up (one even said "We Sharp Knives" :jerkit: ) and I wouldn't trust any knife of mine to a place like that. I'd suggest a spydie SharpMaker, or if you've got way too many knives or way too much money, a EdgePro.