Old Victorinox Camper problem: almost impossible to get blades out.

radu191289 · Aug 8, 2013

Hi! I am new here, and I don't have experience on the problem either. Someone gave me today an old Victorinox Camper. Old, dirty and slimy but after cleaning it a bit it started to look good, but the blades were almost impossible to get out, I pried the red handles out and used oil to clean the tool, I also pulled in and out each blade a few times to help the dirt come out and let the oil inside but some blades are still very hard to get out, for example the small one near the corkscrew.

Main question: Is there something else to do rather than oiling the tool?
A few more questions: the tool near the Corkscrew is an Awl?
Is there any chance to find "extra parts" for victorinox tools? For example toothpick and maybe a replacement handle...

muphasta · Aug 8, 2013

You can find the toothpicks either on-line, or if a local "knife shop" (not a store that also sells knives) carrries SAK.

As for the stuck blades, I'd try dousing the knife in WD-40. Maybe leave it in an old pan to really soak overnight. If that doesn't work, you may try PB Blaster, but be mindful of the stench of that stuff. You do NOT want it in your house!!

I'm not an knife expert by any means, I just have some experience w/other hobbies w/both products. I am unsure if the PB Blaster would hurt the plastic scales of the SAK. WD-40 will not.

Good luck!

radu191289 · Aug 8, 2013

Thanks for the help muphasta! For the past hours I left it in oil since I had nothing better at the moment, I'll leave it there for around 12 hours and see if it helps.

Obsessed with Edges · Aug 8, 2013

+1 to soaking in WD-40. I had to do this with one of my Victorinox SAKs, because it rusted badly when left unnoticed & forgotten in humid/wet conditions for a very long time. Most of the blades & tools were stuck shut with rust. I heavily doused it with WD-40, then did the same to some paper towels (saturated) wrapped around the knife and stored in an airtight Zip-Loc plastic container for 3-4 days. The WD-40 helps break down the rust enough to open & exercise the blade pivots, during which time some more dousing in WD-40 can flush out the remaining rust/gunk/grime/grit.

After all that, a bath in hot water and liquid dish detergent will clean it all up (exercise the joints again, while doing so), and prep it for lube of your choice. A little more WD-40 or isopropyl alcohol will help flush out any residual moisture from nooks & crannies, after the bath.

David

kwackster · Aug 8, 2013

This is my cleaning recipe for folders:

1) Brush with old toothbrush and a mixture of hot water & some dishwashing liquid.
2) Rinse under hot running tap while constantly working the pivot
3) Shake out excess water and let dry a few minutes
4) Spray the whole knife with WD-40 and put in ziplock bag for at least 30 minutes.
5) Then place the knife in an ultrasonic cleaner filled with a mixture of hot water & some dishwashing liquid.
6) Turn the cleaner on and watch the knife "explode" in grey clouds of gunk & debris, loosened by the WD-40.
7) Rinse under hot tap while working the pivot
8) If necessary repeat steps 6 and 7
9) Shake out excess water and let dry completely
10) Oil pivot pin with Nano-Oil

For your Victorinox Camper i would recommend Nano-Oil in the 5 weight version, as it almost as thin as water and will penetrate very well.

cpurcell · Aug 8, 2013

And since I didn't see that anyone mentioned this, you could send it back to Victorinox for a spa treatment. For a small fee they will fix it all up, like new, and you'll be able to enjoy it properly.

Chris

jackknife · Aug 9, 2013

cpurcell said:
And since I didn't see that anyone mentioned this, you could send it back to Victorinox for a spa treatment. For a small fee they will fix it all up, like new, and you'll be able to enjoy it properly.

Chris

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Victorinox factory service and support is outstanding. JUst send it in to the Shelton Connecticut location.

radu191289 · Aug 11, 2013

Thank you for all the help people. In my country victorinox is not that expanded to just send it, clean it, get it back. and WD-40 + transport is around 15$ while the victorinox camper is like 20$. This thing is unbreakable and for it's age it's in a good condition. Soaking it in oil for around 20hours did not help, I'll try boiling water + degrease liquid. This item has no sentimental value, if it had, I would have made an investment.

jackknife · Aug 11, 2013

radu191289 said:
Thank you for all the help people. In my country victorinox is not that expanded to just send it, clean it, get it back. and WD-40 + transport is around 15$ while the victorinox camper is like 20$. This thing is unbreakable and for it's age it's in a good condition. Soaking it in oil for around 20hours did not help, I'll try boiling water + degrease liquid. This item has no sentimental value, if it had, I would have made an investment.

Whoa! Hold off on that boiling water!!!!

The heat will most likely damage the plastic scales so they come off and will not fit right to snap back on. Just use very warm water and lots of Dawn dish detergent and an old toothbrush to scrub in the joints. Let dry and don't use WD-40. Just drop some mineral oil on the open joints and let sit. WD-40 is no the great stuff it's cracked up to be. If needed, use pliers with duct taped jaws to open and close blades.