Loosen/Lube Up a Blade?

Donny Don't

Donny Don't

Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
112
Hi, everyone!

A bit ago, I got a very, very inexpensive Schrade Imperial (3 blades, SS) to keep in my car, mostly just to open things. I immediately broke my thumb nail trying to open it out of the box and haven't bee able to open it well to use, hardly at all.

I was wondering what (if anything) I could use to loosen these blades up so I can use the knife. Mineral oil? 3in1? I am tempted to just douse the thing with WD40 and be done, but thought I'd seek more experienced counsel. :)

The handle material is not wood, stag or bone. It's similar to a corelon, I think. Plastic, basically.

Thanks!!
 
Hot water with Dawn dishwashing detergent to remove all the crud, work the blades as much as possible (you'll be amazed at all the stuff that comes out). Then WD40 or Breakfree. That's about the limit of things that can be done to smooth it out. After you get it smooth, then mineral oil would be fine. I avoid 3 in 1 since it has paraffin and tends to gum up after the oil evaporates.
 
JB in SC said:
Hot water with Dawn dishwashing detergent to remove all the crud, work the blades as much as possible (you'll be amazed at all the stuff that comes out). Then WD40 or Breakfree. That's about the limit of things that can be done to smooth it out. After you get it smooth, then mineral oil would be fine. I avoid 3 in 1 since it has paraffin and tends to gum up after the oil evaporates.
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Thanks a ton! I will try that. Even though the knife is very cheap, it irks me to not even be able to use it. I appreciate your input!
 
Donny Don't said:
Thanks a ton! I will try that. Even though the knife is very cheap, it irks me to not even be able to use it. I appreciate your input!
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Sure thing. It could always be one of those knives that has a strong back spring. But more likely has a tiny sliver of metal lodged in the back spring or pivot area. One question I failed to ask, are all the blades difficult to open?
 
JB in SC said:
Sure thing. It could always be one of those knives that has a strong back spring. But more likely has a tiny sliver of metal lodged in the back spring or pivot area. One question I failed to ask, are all the blades difficult to open?
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Yes, they are.

Here's a stock photo of the same knife. The little (spey?) blade on the left I have not been able to get open at all. The second-biggest blade (pen?) I've opened once, after a hell of a fight with it and the largest blade I've opened twice, with the help of a stronger person.

2l9quep.jpg
 
After cleaning and using WD40 as suggested, keep working the blades back and forth. If the pivot pins have been peened tight the knife might just need to get "broken in".

If the difficulty with opening is the result of really stiff back springs, I've heard of people leaving slip joints halfway open for awhile to loosen up the springs a bit. But I have no personal experience doing that.
 
It definitely sounds like the pivots could be too tight. There are a couple of things that could resolve it, but not without the possibility of making a mess of the knife. Try the other suggestions first.
 
JB in SC said:
It definitely sounds like the pivots could be too tight. There are a couple of things that could resolve it, but not without the possibility of making a mess of the knife. Try the other suggestions first.
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Thank you, I will do. I'll let you guys know! :)
 
After you've gotten it all cleaned out, hit it with some dry moly lube spray in the pivot, It won't attract dirt, prevents rust, but it is not food safe at all.
You could just use any old knife lube or gun lube if you wanted to, whatever works best for you, but wet oils WILL attract dirt and dust. It's not the worst thing ever but it can be a problem.
There is a few other dry lubes like Graphite, Tuf-Glide (Better just to protect blade for rust, not that great of a lubricant), or PTFE lubes. - All good stuff.
 
I scrub dirty old treasures well with a toothbrush using dilute Dr Bonners in hot water. Flitz is a good gentle polish. If you need to get serious, 400-600-1000 grit sandpaper sequence works, but gives collectors the willies :). Some people like steel wool, I have yet to try it.
 
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