Maintaining weapon to display.

[rcol]

I’ve recently bought the cold steel Wild West Bowie knife and I’ve received it covered in this yellow oily, grease inside a plastic bag. I’m never going to use this knife I’m going to display it with a couple other western looking knives I have. I was wondering if anyone knows the best way to clean this oil off the knife and what to use to preserve the knife after as in what’s the best type of oil to keep it preserved. Also if anyone knows how to regularly maintain your knife as in clean if every month or so. Thanks

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

I can't really think of any situation where you'd need to clean a display piece every month. Maybe if you have a very dusty house in which case you might consider some sort of acrylic display case to keep the knife clean. Don't store it in the leather sheath as leather can absorb ambient moisture and will eventually contribute to tarnishing the blade and brass accents.

Alcohol or any number of solvents or cleaners should remove the factory oil/grease. After that, wipe down with your oil of choice...mineral oil, motor oil, gun oil, etc. Whatever you have handy. I'd avoid any cooking oils because they can go rancid. Wipe on enough to make sure all metal is coated, then wipe dry with a clean rag. You won't remove all the oil with just a dry rag. Unless you live in some extreme environment with wild fluctuations in humidity and temperature, that should be all it needs. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Clean it off with WD 40.
Periodically, wipe it down with WD 40 on a cloth and then wipe dry.