Washing My New Tidioute

[Cory Hess]

After much hemming and hawing I have picked up my first GEC knife. It is a Tidioute, and thus has 1095 blades (that is to say that the blades are made out of that particular steel, not that it has that many blades). I've only owned stainless steel knives up to this point. It was suggested to me to wash my new Rough Riders by filling a bowl with soapy water and swishing the knife around in it and work the joints while submerged in the water then blow the knife dry with an air compressor and let it sit to dry completely before oiling. Will this same method be appropriate for the GEC? I don't want to start off by doing something that's going to ruin the knife right off the bat.

 

[JustinR]

I normally just put a bit of dish soap in each joint and run it under hot water while opening and closing it to flush out any gunk. I dont submerge the whole knife.

 

[Lemmy Caution]

I just use mineral oil, wrap the blade in leather or card board and and open and close the blades repeatedly, wiping away gunk and adding more oil as I go. Its relatively humid where I live and I always worry water or too much moisture might just sit down in the pivot.

 

[Cory Hess]

Thank you both. I'll probably just use the mineral oil method, it's cheap enough that it's worth the peace of mind that I won't screw it up.

 

[fot0]

I have used an ultrasonic cleaner. You do submerge the item to be cleaned so I would only recommend this method on traditional knives with bone or stag handles. I have not attempted with any of my wood handled knives. After cleaning you rinse well and then blow out with compressed air and apply oil liberally to the metal parts. I have had no adverse reactions (rust) to any of my knives. This method of cleaning in not necessary, but since I have an ultrasonic cleaner I use it occasionally. :thumbup:

 

[Bob W]

I normally just put a bit of dish soap in each joint and run it under hot water while opening and closing it to flush out any gunk. I dont submerge the whole knife.

Same here. Then I blow out the water, let air dry for a while, and add a drop of mineral oil to each of the joints.

 

[Grateful]

I run a little warm water into the kitchen sink with a little dish soap. I then submerge the knife for a few minutes then open and close the blades while holding the knife underwater. Then I drain the sink and rinse the knife, with extra attention to the joint, under the tap with warm water.
I then use the air compressor to dry it out then oil the joints. I have been doing that for years with no ill effects.

Jim