To Clean or Not to clean

2

2372624726

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
7
Right off, I don't want to know what these are worth, only whether cleaning the oil off of them will devalue them. I've had these for 33 years so I decided to open some of the boxes to check on them and the oils are turning a yellowish/brown, They are 1985 Schrade Scrimshaws with Delrin handles never used,never displayed, never touched with a nekid hand, still in their original boxes.
Thanks in advance.
 
Right off, I don't want to know what these are worth, only whether cleaning the oil off of them will devalue them. I've had these for 33 years so I decided to open some of the boxes to check on them and the oils are turning a yellowish/brown, They are 1985 Schrade Scrimshaws with Delrin handles never used,never displayed, never touched with a nekid hand, still in their original boxes.
Thanks in advance.
 
If you intend to use them (they are definitely usable) then clean them. If you intend to sell them, then don't touch them.
 
Thanks for the response. I have a couple that are my everyday tool and a set that I have out on display the rest are just something I bought to put away. I didn't know if the oil would eventually become acidic and etch the brass.
 
I'd wipe them off myself. I can't imagine that affecting value... oil is sort of a normal kind of thing on knives.
 
I mean, you could always wipe off the old oil and re-apply new oil. If your goal is to maintain the original appearance and nature of the knives, I can guarantee that corrosion is going to be a much bigger loss than having cleaned it and applied fresh oil.

A knife rusted shut that is otherwise pristine is still nearly unrecoverable garbage.
 
2372624726 said:
Right off, I don't want to know what these are worth, only whether cleaning the oil off of them will devalue them. I've had these for 33 years so I decided to open some of the boxes to check on them and the oils are turning a yellowish/brown, They are 1985 Schrade Scrimshaws with Delrin handles never used,never displayed, never touched with a nekid hand, still in their original boxes.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering how many times you'll post this question today.
 
dont clean......how may threads did ya make on this topic here? I see 2 so far.....
 
He accidentally made two identical threads. They have been merged. Please move on to something informative.
 
Not a 100% sure but I wouldn't think re-oiling would de-value them. If you had to use something abrasive to remove the old yes, but I don't think that will be needed.
I'll be interested to hear what others say.
 
a collector would prefer everything in its original state.
and that any original oils is a read as a sign of a mint object.
frankly, the only way to know if the original factory applied oil is infecting the finishing
is to completely wipe off all the protective oil with a micro fiber cloth
and then to thoroughly inspect if there are any signs of stubborn stains still present anywhere it was applied...
if there are nasty stains, you might want to leave the lot and seriously decide if you can live with it...
 
Get some BreakFree CLP, or Rem Oil, same stuff, and give them a good cleaning. Cleans - Lubricates - and Protects. I used on M-16's etc. when over in a small SE Asian country years back.
 
Throw some moisture absorbers in the box where you keep these to help keep them in good condition if your storing them.
 
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