Sand in a slipjoint....

Severance

Severance

Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
261
Hey guys, I wasn't sure whether to put this post here or in Maintenence, so don't be too hard on me. And I did try multiple searches for an answer to my question beforehand with no luck. I have recently moved away from tacticals/one handers and have been developing a real fondness for the elegant simplicity of traditionals. I am very meticulous when caring for any knife, and I therefore oil my slippies regularly. I am also very careful to not get any grit in the pivots. However, the other day I thought back to one day as a kid when I forgot about the Case in my backpocket, and unfortunately sat down in the sand at the beach. I tried rinsing/washing/everything I could, but never could get it all the way clean. The grittyness made me cringe to the point that I eventually shelved the knife for good. Other than compressed air, are there any tricks for getting sand/coarse dirt out of the pivot?? Or is this the kiss of death for a slipjoint? These days I would not be so careless, but I still would love to know if there is any solution to this problem.
 
Duct tape the blade edge, and open and close it repeatedly under a running water faucet. Use some Dawn dish soap and an old toothbrush to clean it well.

After drying, do not oil it much. just dampen the torn end of a paper match with oil, and brush on the blade tang corners where it rides. DO NOT DROP OIL INTO THE KNIFE. Most people over oil their stuff. Oil collects dirt and grit.

Carl.
 
The only way I know of, short of actually disassembling it, is to exercise the joint while thoroughly flushing it out with soap & warm water, WD-40, mineral oil, etc. It'll make your skin crawl, listening to the grit in the joint but, eventually, most of it will be worked out. The main thing is to just keep flushing LOTS of liquid into it, while working the joint. With soap & water, I'd probably just immerse it in the sink and work it there.

You've basically come down to the choice of not using it at all, or doing what's necessary to make it usable again. Given the choice, I'd at least GRIT my teeth and give it a go.

Don't know if you've looked into it, but it might not hurt to give Case a call, just to see if they might be willing to help. Might charge a fee for it, but it's up to you to decide if it's worth that or not.
 
I agree with what the others have said. I'd add that once you are done with the WD-40 rinsing, use some real oil to displace the WD40.
 
I am with jackknife mostly here..

In the situation you described I would:

(1) Soak her in a jar with all blades half way open where the back springs are exposed, in clean hot-warm fresh water and 'Dawn dish washing soap' for an hour or a bit more. (2) Open and close the blades slowly and repeatedly in this solution. (3) Wipe down with a clean dry cotton cloth. (4) Let air dry a little longer all around. (5) Use a decent compressor with at least a 140psi and a good blower nozzle and blow thoroughly. (6) Let sit for a day and repeat step # 5. (7) Then oil lightly using a good gun oil like 'Hoppes old number # 7'.. I personally do not recommend WD-40.


Best,
Anthony
 
I neglected to emphasize, in my earlier post, that if WD-40 is used to initially flush out the knife, give it a good bath afterwards. Warm, soapy water (w/dish soap) is how I've done it. Dry everything thoroughly, then re-lube with your lube of choice.
 
Good shot from an air compressor. The guys who sharpen with systems like the WEPS have to watch out for a similar situation with the metal cast off.
 
There is no need to wash the WD 40 off. Just let it dry, then lube.
 
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