Cleaning out the gunk

[miked32]

I’ve always just kinda raked it out. This one had the most I’ve seen. Do you all use any solvent.

[doglegg]

I’ve always just kinda raked it out. This one had the most I’ve seen. Do you all use any solvent.

That's a lot of pocket lint! I've used soap and water and sometimes WD40

[treefarmer]

miked32,
Years ago, I read, here on the forum, cleaning could be done by placing the knife in warm water with liquid dish soap after removing the obvious lent, sticks, etc, found in the well. Amazing what will show up in the container after good soak.
Treefarmer
I see Floyd has beat me to the draw concerning the dish soap.

[miked32]

I may try some dish sooo and a tooth brush with warm water. Then lay the wd to it.

[CarMan]

I’m thinking of getting a cheap ultrasonic cleaner for the ones that are really dirty.

[herbva]

WD40. It dissolves or at least loosens up just about anything that could be accumulated in a pocket knife.

[Colonel26]

Like the others I’ve given them baths in warm soapy water. WD40 does well as a cleaner and to dry the water from the inside.

Another thing I’ve used, for knives with dried gunky oil/mud, is 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. It works well on gun parts too.

Re-oil with a decent lubricant after she’s cleaned up.

[Wudidiz]

I have good luck with water and a few drops of dishsoap in an ultrasonic cleaner. I ultrasound it for ten minutes, then work the metal with baking soda and white vinegar with a toothbrush.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Compressed air. Before and after any kind of water usage for a good drying, and sometimes you can avoid the water altogether if its just dry and dusty.

I pick up any stiff bristled brush i see at thrift stores. I found a shoe brush recently with brushes about 3/4 inch. Its great for "dry" cleaning i like to do on brittle old bones and mother of pearl.

Also a clay sculpting kit and a pick set i found at harbor freight are good for all the picking poking and prodding you may have to do down in the wells.

[ea42]

I use mineral spirits and the cheapo ten pack paint brushes from Lowes or Home Depot. You can get the bristles down in the cavity to scrub around the backspring. Also a soft toothbrush , toothpics, etc. I blow it all out with compressed air afterward. The alcohol is a great grease solvent and dries super quickly so there's no need for that stinky WD-40. Don't forget to oil the joints afterward.

Eric

[Mumbleypeg]

Using liquids like soapy water, mineral spirits etc ruins that junk from its value as snuff!

Ken

[ea42]

Using liquids like soapy water, mineral spirits etc ruins that junk from its value as snuff!

Ken

[1967redrider]

Using liquids like soapy water, mineral spirits etc ruins that junk from its value as snuff!

Ken

That'll put hair on your chest, Ken.