Un-gunking sticky SAK and Leatherman?

Z

z537z

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Apr 14, 2004
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I have a couple SAKs and a Leatherman that are nearly impossible to open, they require using another knife to pry the tools open.
What kind of stuff would be best for de-gunking whatever's in there so they'll function smoothly again? I imagine it'd have to get into the "space" between the blade and the handle to dissolve all the crap keeping it from opening.

Thanks!

_z
 
My basic routine for cleaning out stiff knives and multitools:

Dip in hot water, take out and work open/close, may have to wear gloves if water is very hot.

Shake and wipe dry, some people use a hair dryer for this.

Apply WD40, work open/close.

Apply mineral oil.

Luis
 
If it happens to be just lint from your pocket, I find the little cans of compressed air from office depot work well in blowing that kind of stuff out.
 
Cant go wrong with WD40. If that doesnt work, I imagine you'd have to take them apart.
 
You can dump either in water for a few days changing the water every now and then for a gental approach, combine that with spraying WD40 at them and it normaly sorts it all out
You could put a leatherman in boiling water which is meant to be good, just don't do it wih a SAK as it takes the scales off
 
I fixed my SAK with a similar process to the ones above: held with a pair of pliers and repeatedly dunked in a pot of almost boiling water, air dried, applied Militec to pivots and cycled tools/blade open and closed numerous times. It's as good as new now.
 
Since multitools and SAKs are stainless they don't rust shut. Usually you have just gotten sticky stuff in the works. First try soaking in a hot dishwater detergent solution for a few minutes and work the blades while they are in the solution. Usually that does the job. Since multitools are all metal you can use almost any solvent on them. Paint thinner, lacquer thinner, or acetone work well. An SAK has plastic side panels that are vulnerable to solvents. Try not to get anything on them. Use pipe cleaners or Q-tips soaken in solvent if the detergent doesn't work. I also like to use one of the citrus cleaners like Goo Gone for some gummy residues.

WD-40 stinks and is hard to get rid of. I only use that when I have rusted knives to free up. In general I lube knives with things that don't smell or stain. I use candle wax or mineral oil.
 
Hot water and dish washing detergent, followed by a good rinse with plain hot water should do the trick. WD40 is mostly safety solvent and may be useful in breaking up any gunk that the hot water/detergent may leave behind.


On the Leatherman, as a last resort, you could try carb cleaner – but don’t use this on the SAKs - it definitely will dissolve the Cellidor scales (don’t ask me how I know this :grumpy: ).



- Frank
 
frank k said:
On the Leatherman, as a last resort, you could try carb cleaner – but don’t use this on the SAKs - it definitely will dissolve the Cellidor scales (don’t ask me how I know this :grumpy: ).

- Frank
Click to expand...


You too? :grumpy:
 
Good stuff.
Yeah I wouldn't go near WD40 on something that doesn't get used as much as, say, car parts. It gunks up after time and you really can't get rid of it.

Good to know about the plastic scales. One of the SAKs is the alox model so I'll go with whatever, but I'll stay away from the plastic w/ the harsh stuff.

It's not just lint, it's sticky gunk, you CANNOT get them open w/o prying with another tool.
I'll start by boiling the Leatherman.

_z
 
You could try Break Free, it's a gun cleaner available at Wal-Mart near the gun section. It cleans, lubes, and protects.
 
Be careful of some solvents, they can disolve the red plastic scales of an SAK.

Just for the record, according to Victorinox, their SAK's are dishwasher safe!
 
Jewell (custom benchrest trigger manufacturer, truly excellent stuff) recommends flushing gunk out of their triggers with lighter fluid. It's very volitile, so it dries fast, and should carry the gunk out.
 
I spray a quick blast of Brake Cleaner (always seem to have some in the garage). It dries fast and cleans all the gunk off too. Then I just drip some Militec on there to keep things moving.
 
I think I have some brake cleaner


wed. will be a busy day of chemicals for me

thanks all

+z
 
I don't reccomend Brake Cleaner, most of them probably still use the same stuff that's in Gunscrubber, which will melt the plastic scales in a rather big hurry. I'll echo some other folk's sentiments, WD-40, let it soak in that for a bit, it's totally harmless to the knife, then scrub it with dish detergent and hot water to flush the WD-40 out. Lube with your preffered stuff, but not WD-40, over time it'll dry out and form a sticky varnish in the pivots. 3in1 oil, Breakfree, FP-10, Militec, any "real" lubricating oil will be better.
 
Would Hornady "One Shot" work?

Disclaimer: I have never used it on a knife & don't know if it would "eat" SAK scales. I know that it digested an after-market Ruger 10/22 magazine of mine once :(

i214927vr01.jpg


"This cleaner and lube reduces friction and removes grit, grime and old oil from firearms, loaders and loading tools. It leaves a thin, dry lube impervious to heat or cold. And it won't build up."

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...x&cm_ven=srchdx&cm_ite=srchdx&_requestid=2734

maximus otter
 
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