Cleaning Knives

[jmpaige]

what is the best cleaner or product to use on old pocket knives that need some cleaning up? I don't want to damage them.

[orvet]

That is kind of a broad question for a simple easy answer it all depends on the product, what kind of handles it has, how dirty it is, size etc.
I wouldn't wash a Corvette the same way I would wash and own dirty log truck.

One of the gentlest ways to clean a pocket knives, if warm water will not damage it, is to put some tap water in a sonic cleaner and 3 or 4 drops of Dante dish soap.. They've been around for years used clean jewelry among other things, they're very safe. After a while the the to get warm inside and that helps to clean better also.
I covers the knife with water and and in a small sonic cleaner use several several tops

[Mumbleypeg]

Here is a compilation of posts that addresses cleaning knives. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=54157. You can find useful tips for cleaning just about every part of a knife.

This question comes up so often I have recommended this be made a “sticky” thread so it could be more easily found. So far it hasn’t been - you have to know where and how to look for it.

Ken

[jmpaige]

Here is a compilation of posts that addresses cleaning knives. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=54157. You can find useful tips for cleaning just about every part of a knife.

This question comes up so often I have recommended this be made a “sticky” thread so it could be more easily found. So far it hasn’t been - you have to know where and how to look for it.

Ken

Thanks for that... Some of these are so dirty and what not I can tell there is a tang stamp just need to clean it to figure out what it says. Wish me luck and thanks for the information link.

[jmpaige]

That is kind of a broad question for a simple easy answer it all depends on the product, what kind of handles it has, how dirty it is, size etc.
I wouldn't wash a Corvette the same way I would wash and own dirty log truck.

One of the gentlest ways to clean a pocket knives, if warm water will not damage it, is to put some tap water in a sonic cleaner and 3 or 4 drops of Dante dish soap.. They've been around for years used clean jewelry among other things, they're very safe. After a while the the to get warm inside and that helps to clean better also.
I covers the knife with water and and in a small sonic cleaner use several several tops

Thanks, wish I could give you more information, but basically I am trying to read unreadable tang stamps I think cleaning them up a bit might help make them more legible.

[Mumbleypeg]

If you’re mostly just interested in reading the tang stamps I’ll save you some reading. Get a number 2 lead pencil, sharpen it. Using the lead (graphite) point, gently scrub the tang stamp area with the graphite. Then use a soft cloth to wipe away any excess loose graphite and crud from the blade that will be loosened by your actions. The graphite is very mildly abrasive and will remove loose rust and tarnish without damaging the stamp or the knife blade.

There are more aggressive techniques that can be found in the posts I referenced previously but most tang stamps can be revealed using the pencil technique. Tip - If you’re doing a lot of knives use a carpenter’s pencil. The “lead” is thicker so it doesn’t break off easily and will not require re-sharpening as often.

Ken

[jmpaige]

If you’re mostly just interested in reading the tang stamps I’ll save you some reading. Get a number 2 lead pencil, sharpen it. Using the lead (graphite) point, gently scrub the tang stamp area with the graphite. Then use a soft cloth to wipe away any excess loose graphite and crud from the blade that will be loosened by your actions. The graphite is very mildly abrasive and will remove loose rust and tarnish without damaging the stamp or the knife blade.

There are more aggressive techniques that can be found in the posts I referenced previously but most tang stamps can be revealed using the pencil technique. Tip - If you’re doing a lot of knives use a carpenter’s pencil. The “lead” is thicker so it doesn’t break off easily and will not require re-sharpening as often.

Ken

That is fantastic advice. So the pencil won't hurt anything. Thank you!