Question about cleaning Non-HI folder specifically

Shavru

Shavru

Joined
Feb 20, 2014
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So, we have so many folks here with such a background of knowledge I thought I would ask about a particular task; I need to figure out the best way to clean a folding knife.

I just got a beautiful damascus folder. It has camel bone and buffalo horn and antique silver scales that are pinned then the pins rounded over like a rivet. So no way I can take the scales off without damaging things. Now this beautiful knife came out of the box coated in the most foul smelling goo I have ever had the mispleasure of sniffing. It apears to be very old dried out oil that has become seriously nauseatingly smelly.

I want to clean up the knife but I am afraid I might be overlooking something, my plan is to clean it in some warm water with a touch of dawn dish liquid in it using a towel, not soaking it in the water. Then rinse it very well under a tap and wipe dry as well as possible. I have considered using a hair dryer to dry it where I can't get a towel into it. After thorough drying I intend to wipe down lightly with some rem oil.

Anyone see anything that jumps out and screams NOOO!!!!!

I am very appreciative of any suggestions for how to complete this without damaging the knife in any way so just let me know what I should be aware of.
 
I would consider denatured alchohol- it will remove the grease, (and any other oil), and leaves no residue.
Just oil it afterwards.
Hope this helps.
 
Perfect. Thanks, I searched all over the maintenence forum and couldn't find a decent suggestion. (My search skills probably suck but I tried) That makes perfect sense but I was a bit worried about how it might effect the scales. Didn't think about dawn leaving a residue but it definately would.
Thank you.
 
A good air compressor works as good or better than a hair dryer. I'd hose it down with Ballistol when you get it all clean and then blow that out with the compressor too.

I'd use Du Lite, but it's hard to find. It stays on, doesn't build up and most importantly doesn't smell much.

Main thing is get the pivot points and the places you can't access oiled again. The alcohol or the Dawn (Dawn is incredibly good stuff) removed all protection so it need to be replaced. It's like cleaning a gun in a solvent tank and then not oiling the internals. I hate solvent tanks generally unless things are really really bad.
 
Also I'm sure I'm not the only one that would love to see a picture of the aforementioned folder. Damascus, camel bone, buffalo and silver, sounds exquisite to me. A must see for sure.
 
Is it one of those Pakistan folders off the bay? If so, who knows what kind of nasty stuff is on there making that smell. Get it off LOL!!!! Like JW said, alcohol should clean it up good. You might try blasting some WD-40 or aerosol Rem-Oil into the pivot if it feels gritty in there, too.
 
Yes Pics would be wonderful! Before I caught HIKV I looked all over for a stag/damascus folder but with no luck. The customs etc were way over my head so I pretty much gave up on it. The pakistan ones Phill speaks of a really cool looking and people buy them like crazy but I never pulled the trigger. I found an old Brian Tighe that was very cool but the guy selling it was a ....anyway . Love to see some pics!
 
Not a Pakistani one. Nothing against those but I found shipping adds so much they are almost not the deal they seem. This guy says it is made by him here in the good ol' USA, Washington state even, Little shop in middle of no where out in Yakima. I think he more likely buys them from a Mexican knifesmith in the area then resells them but still was a nicely made piece for the money and I liked the look so I bought it.

Here are a couple of pictures off the add. It still needs to be cleaned and will be a while before I bother getting out a camera of my own for it.



 
Looks pretty cool. I would just let the whole thing soak in a tub of alcohol for a while.
 
Looks nice. Don't look like too many hidden nooks and crannies for stuff to hide so cleaning and oiling should be a snap. Looks like the did a nice job putting it together.

I do love damascus.
 
Thats beautiful Shavru! I think id just clean it with denat-alcohol and Q-tips. Dawn could be used in there as well to remove heavy oils or varnish buildups. If it was mine id rub some lemon juice or vinegar on the blade to bring out the pattern and then rinse the whole thing in baking soda water to neutralize everything (including stink) which also helps clean, fresh water rinse,dry, then re-oil.
 
Thanks ndoghouse. I had forgotten about using lemon juice. I was trying to decide about acid washing it to bring out the pattern more. The lemon is a much easier and not quite as aggressive solution. Th, think I will do it that way, Thanks.

Just got in a Timberwolf folder and hubby replaced his cane with a CS made one with a pretty well made blade in it that both have exactly the same stink. I am not sure what revolting oil mass market blade makers are using these days but YUCK!!, On the funny part, I read a review about the CS swordcane that makes light of the smell. Seems there are 3 ways of finishing off the bad guy with greater lethality for each successive step. 1) hit them with the solid aluminum sheath as a club. 2) cut them to pieces with the blade. 3) far and away the worst is waving the open end of the sheath in their face so they collapse dead from the smell. It really does seem like it might work, it certainly makes my nose uncomfortable when it is open even in the same room. LOL
 
You got me there Shavru? If they were made in Japan Id say maybe fish oil...? I used to race dirt bikes back in the mid seventies and when you buy a new bike they would ship it over from Japan and the front forks would be loaded with fish oil. First thing we did was drain it out and put something useable in. Man it stunk to hi heaven! But your stuff is American??? I think you got the right idea... kill em with stink!
 
I can hardly stand to go into Harbor Freight for all the creosote smell. The stuff apparently sits on the shipping piers so long it absorbs that smell. One of my least favorite aroma's in the whole world. I also hate the smell of 90 weight gear oil. Awful smell.

I was dirt bike racer too in the mid 70's. Raced flat track. Them was the days. I even raced with some of the big boys a few times. Randy Skiver I think was national # 35. Good fun and I never broke any bones on myself. Rather miraculous.
 
Nope the one is made in Yakima WA (at least that is what the seller claimed, perhaps he lied). However the other 2 could be from China I suppose. Anyone know if Cold Steel make their own stuff or buy Chinese? What about TimberWolf knives, I cant seem to figure out who makes them, no real info online that I could find?

If you ever have too much money and decide to go looking for that Damascus/Stag combo again try http://alandavisknives.weebly.com/ I go to his folders pages when I want to window shop and drool but way outta my range. He posts for sale here on bladeforums occasionally too and he definately makes some incredible stuff but ouch it is not cheap. Also one of my favorites for those styles is also around here but I didn't know it until recently...http://www.jdwareknives.com/folding-knives.html his Navajas speak to me if I could get past their whispering the price LOL.
 
LoL Bawanna Agree Harbor Fright smells horrid. Whenever I go there to get something for hubby or father-in-law I tend to leave as quick as I can and take a deep breath as I get outside.

Earlier you mentioned Du Lite. Are you thinking the 65? or the kwik? And does the 55 do as good a job with even less smell? I found a way to order some in 6oz amounts (not sure I could use 55 gallons in my lifetime) and think it would work well for the guns as well but not sure which one would be best so looking for some suggestions from someone that has used it before.
 
I never heard of the 55. I use and love the kwik seal. If you have to buy quantity to get those 6 oz I'll split it with you. I've only used the 12oz aerosol and the 12oz pump. I even suggested to Brownells to stock the stuff and I was thrilled when they did but they must not have sold enough and discontinued it.
A lot of shops that do rebluing and that sort of thing use it, that's where I got mine before. Usually have to buy a whole case if you can find it.
 
Funny they show a picture of the 14oz pump exactly like what I have and want but the description reads 3.5 oz?
Also that place is in the UK. How does that work. 8.50 for the stuff and 76.95 to ship?

I'll have to look some more but that is indeed the stuff. I love it. Good stuff.
 
I had noticed it was UK. I haven't completed the order and gotten shipping rates yet because I saw the same thing and was coming back to warn you incase you didn't notice... glad you caught it before. They do show international shipping to the US even for the pistols but you have to get the importer paperwork done first. Did you look at some of the pistols... Wow, could I spend a fortune there too. $28 for registered post or $96 for worldwide parcel. So I think I will keep looking. Might get desparate enough for $28 but not quite yet.
 
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