Tuff Cloth

J

Jack Goertz

Joined
Feb 28, 1999
Messages
91
I just purchased a W. jr. Someone suggested that ATS-34, in and around saltwater, would suffer a bit. Earlier in another forum post, it had been recommended that Tuff cloth be used to retard corrosian, even in fillet knives. I've looked at the ads in the forum store. Can anyone tell me what this stuff is and how it works? As described, it offers the same type of protection to the blade that oil does, without the mess. Testamonials please! Thanks,

Jack
 
... also, I'd like to ask the difference between the regular Tuff-Cloth and the Marine Tuff-Cloth? Is is not better to use the Marine version for extra duty use?
 
All I know is that Superman wipes his @$$ with it.

So I've been wondering, if the Marine variant is better, why do they make the regular? Who in the world wants *a little bit less* protection?

David Rock
 
This would be a good question for Sentry solutions, but I think that the Marine Tuff Cloth uses a "thicker" solution and is meant for those really tough environments, while the standard Tuff Cloth is excellent for everyday use, where you just need a good coating, not a heavier/thicker one.

Ask Mark from Sentry Solutions, he'll be more than happy to fill you in.

Spark

------------------
Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Tuf-Cloth does what the claims say. I have let tool steel knives get wet and stay wet once protected and they did not rust.

The reason you might not want to get the Marine is that it leaves an actual heavy coat on your knives, the regular does not.

-Cliff
 
Thanks, Cliff. That helps. I suppose the Marine grade is a bit more expensive too, right?

David Rock
 
I have used both and prefer the Marine cloth.
I don't work around a salt water environment and no I am not in the water alot.
I just prefer to have that little bit extra edge of protection as I carry everyday hot or cold, rain or shine and my blades tend to get wet.
The Marine cloth is a few dollars more but way worth it.
I would also like to suggest you get a can of odorless mineral spirits, as in time the cloth will dry out and needs to be "revived".
Hope this helps.

------------------
God bless!

Romans 10:9-10

"Military" Fans Unite!!
 
Just FYI, we only charge $1.00 more for the Marine Tuff Cloth, I would guess that everyone else follows a similar pricing policy. Check out the store for exact prices.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
I have both the Marine Tuff-Cloth and regular Tuff-Cloth. I don't like the Marine Tuff-Cloth b/c it leaves a slightly sticky/tacky film. I can't believe noone else has mentioned this. The residue from the regular Tuff-Cloth can't really be felt after it has dried. I now use the regular Tuff-Cloth for just about everything.

Per an email I received from Sentry Solutions, the regular Tuff-Cloth has the same chemical that is in Tuff-Glide (their lubricant). The Marine Tuff-Cloth is something different.

Bernie


[This message has been edited by Bernie (edited 03 May 1999).]
 
Bernie :

the regular Tuff-Cloth has the same chemical that is in Tuff-Glide (their lubricant). The Marine Tuff-Cloth is something different.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointer. I did not know that, I just assumed that it left a heavier coating of the same stuff. Can you still use Tuff-Glide on the Marine Tuff-Cloth when it starts to dry out?

-Cliff
 

I also use both the marine & the regular.

The marine is thicker and leaves a slight residue that can be buffed off after it dries.

From Sentry Marine package "It is designed specifically to protect in extreme conditions,saltwater or high humidity."

Also "after drying,excess can be buffed off without compromising effectiveness".

I prefer to use the Marine on just about everything,and have used it on Black-T coated blades with no problems.
 
Cliff, I don't know if you can use Tuff-Glide to rejuvenate a Marine Tuff-Cloth. Personally, I wouldn't. It just seems like the chemical in Marine Tuff-Cloth is completely different than Tuff-Glide. But, that's just my seat of the pants guess.

Also, the company says you can use mineral spirits to rejuvenate either type of cloth. I'm still trying to figure out how you know when either cloth is completely "out" and you have to get a new one (or, with the regular Tuff-Cloth, you can just add some Tuff-Glide).

From my very limited experiences, it's pretty remarkable stuff.

Interesting tidbit of info: someone here had mentioned Rain-X to protect their blades in the same fashion. If anyone can elaborate on this or is going to test it, let me know. I know the solvent in Rain-X is sort of like an alcohol or something. Definitely not "mineral spirits". Also, from my experiences, Rain -X damages some plastics.

Bernie


[This message has been edited by Bernie (edited 03 May 1999).]
 
I appreciate the interest in our TUF-CLOTHs and TUF-GLIDE. I'll try to address some of the points that came up in the most recent postings.

First: How do TUF-CLOTHs work? Quick answer; they work by providing a bonded film of protection. Details; Sentry uses proprietary dry film corrosion inhibitors and lubricants solubilized in pure odorless mineral spirits to impregnate a special woven cloth. Mineral spirits is the carrier used to transfer the active ingredients, provides cleaning and then evaporates off to leave the bonded film of protection. The active ingredients actually bond with the pores in metal. TUF-CLOTH's protection is superior to oils for a number of reasons. First, the protection will not simply come off when handled like oil nor will it migrate. It is bonded so it stays right where you put it.

Second, the protective film is dry and will not attract dirt.

Third, because the protection is bonded it will not thicken in the cold nor will it thin out from heat.

TUF-CLOTH vs. MARINE TUF-CLOTH
Yes MARINE TUF-CLOTH does provide a higher level of rust protection than regular TUF-CLOTH. MARINE TUF-CLOTH was developed specifically at the request of a SEAL Team based in California after they tested TUF-CLOTH in saltwater for long periods of time. They wanted protection for their gear when underwater. MARINE TUF-CLOTH has additional corrosion inhibitors which allows it to put down a heavier coating. This coating requires considerably longer drying time and as someone has already commented the coating stays tacky for quite a long time. For this reason we suggest MARINE TUF-CLOTH for use in or on saltwater, extreme conditions (such as jungles of Peru) and for long term storage.

If cosmetics and appearance are an issue but you still need great rust protection use regular TUF-CLOTH.

Thank you all for the support you have given our products. We really did try to make them "the best". For further information please visit http://www.sentrysolutions.com

------------------
Mark Mrozek
www.sentrysolutions.com
 
I asked Mark about the Tuff-Glide vs Mineral Spirits :

> Cliff Stamp wrote:
>
> > I was wondering if you recommended using Tuff-Glide on the Marine
> > Tuff-Cloth as it starts to dry out or would pure mineral spirits be
> > better?

Mark Mrozek wrote:


> Yes TUF-GLIDE is better to use than mineral spirits.
Click to expand...

-Cliff
 
Hmmm.. if the Marine Tuf-Cloth has different chemicals than the regular Tuf-Cloth, how come the bottle of Tuf-Glide I have says that I should wipe off excess Tuf-Glide using EITHER of the two? (regular or Marine) Will Tuf-Glide on the Marine Tuf-Cloth interfere with its bonding strength on metal? Just wondering.

Oh, and Mark, I'm not asking for a sampler of the "mineral spirits" like before, hehehe.. (remember the email exchange? lol..)

Dan
 
Here's a Tuff Cloth-related question or two:

1. Is it o.k to use a Tuff Cloth-coated blade for food preparation or is the active ingrediant going to mess with my insides?

2. I've asked at several hardware stores for odourless mineral spirits and they look at me like I'm crazy and tell me that paint thinner is "mineral spirits". Where can I buy the right stuff?

Jason Fowler
 
Cliff,
Earlier you mentioned that you have used Tuf-Cloth on tool steel without getting any rust problems. Can you elaborate on that?

I'm getting a bowie made in 1095 and I was planning on using my Marine tuf-Cloth exclusively for this knife. Do you think the Tuf-Cloth alone can prevent rust on this type of steel?

Was interested in your opinion. It rains nearly 100 inches a year here.

Regards,

------------------
~Greg~

 
Jason,

I don't know what kind of supermart stores you have there, i.e. Super-K-mart or what have you, but I found some odorless mineral spirits in a "Fred Meyer's" of all places.
No, paint thinner is not the same thing. I hate it when the clerks at hardware stores try to sell you that kind of crap. I had the same problem when looking for spline wrenches for my Military(no I did not disassemble it).
Good luck in your quest.

------------------
God bless!

Romans 10:9-10

"Military" Fans Unite!!
 
Actually, I think paint thinner (at least my can of it) is the same thing as mineral spirits. I have a 16 0z. can of it that cost me $1.49 at a hardware store that is generally considered expensive around here.

On the can it says "Paint Thinner" and "100% PURE MINERAL SPIRITS. Our most economical proprietary blend. Colorless and low odor. Thins oil based paints and coatings. Cleans spills and tools. Degreaser and wax remover. The professionals choice." The brand is "E-Z" distributed by "E. E. Zimmerman Company, Pittsburgh, PA 15233". "For questions or comments about this product, call 1-412-963-0949."

Bernie


[This message has been edited by Bernie (edited 12 May 1999).]
 
I recalled having an email exchange with Mark of SentrySolutions regarding the mineral spirits. Seems like up to now, people are still baffled as to what exactly is a mineral spirit according to Sentry.

I did recall Mark telling me that the "mineral spirit" is something like paint thinner, BUT is NOT, according to him.

So, I'm still stumped as to what exactly we're looking for if we want to rejuvenate our Tuf-Cloths.

Brand name would be helpful, as it will give us less of a headache trying to look for a generic chemical. If a brand has it, I'll go for that.
smile.gif


Dan

PS. Is it me? or does Tuf-Cloth smell good? Is it the ingredients of Tuf-cloth? or the mineral spirits? Paint thinner sure doesn't smell like that.
smile.gif
 
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