Steel pin wet tumbler for old folders?

L

LockupNomad

Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
19
As asked, would one of the newer wet tumblers with the stainless pins do damage to an old crusty folder? Tripped over a bundle of older folders and was wondering if a cycle in the rotary drum brass tumbler with citrus brass cleaner and steel pins would clean an old biker stockman or damage it?

Didn't see any posts in the search bar that spoke to the idea being good or bad.
 
I use an inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight with good results. I'd think tumbling a bunch together would not be ideal, but one at a time probably won't hurt. You do want to be careful of the solution you use though. I've used a number of things, to include liquid gun cleaners for such purposes, and find starting with soap and hot water is usually best.
 
Thank you, good advice, don't want to damage scales or even the bolsters or blades smacking into each other. I like the ultrasonic idea as well, just didn't know if that would not be aggressive enough? Dirt and grime, sure, but with rust? I guess it depends on the solution... I have used white vinegar on cast iron, but wasn't sure about these little historical heirlooms and the mixed metals and plastics they tend to be made with....
 
Unless you want your knife to come out black, leave the vinegar alone.
 
I have one that we clean brass cases with. It works great for that but I don’t know how the scales would take to being “hit” with the pins during the process. We also have an ultrasonic cleaner that we also use and I would start with that if I was cleaning a knife.
 
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