All About Pocket Knives

I am just getting started with knives and would like some tips on how to (and how not to) clean a knife. Thanks
Cordially,
GaryD

Hi Garyd to AAPK.

There are lots of different ideas of what constitutes "cleaning" a knife. Are you wishing to resore the brite metal luster that it had when new or are you simply trying to remove the gunk and grime that has built up on it through years of neglect ?

Phil

Gary, not trying to be a wiseazz but need to know your
present level of experience to know where to start.

So question is...have you ever cleaned anything before?
Like an old car, new car, rifle, or rental property after
the old @#$%&? tenants move out?

Some people consider an item clean just because they
ran a rag over it whether any grime came off or not.
Most aren't blind they simply aren't paying attention.
Other folks can be so meticulous in their detailing the
knife is better than any that ever left the factory.
Then some folks do more harm than good because their
parents or village never taught them better.
Most folks fall somewhere in the middle of those extremes.

But assuming you're a fine upstanding citizen that only has to
tie their shoes once a day I'll offer a few guidelines.

As Phil mentioned, determine by examination what the knife needs.
General degunking, lube and sharpening to bring back to a
useful state as a cutting instrument or bedazzling showroom brilliance for display or worthiness as a gift.

Basically I use three products with varying range of harshness. Metal glo, Mother's mag & aluminum polish (05100), and Renaissance wax. Also have some Silvo as backup.
I use a minimum of product and gentle pressure with a cotton cloth. Dry for maximum cleaning but dampened if I want metal glo
(or similar paste) diluted to minimize chance of residual light scratching on bolsters. Go easy and sparingly, if level of 'clean' isn't achieved, easy enough to do over.
For nooks & crannies too small for finger in cloth method I use
round toothpicks and Qtips.
Mother's label says perfect for ALL metals and will not scratch metal surfaces. So I start with that on dampened cloth as least intrusive step. that either reveals a knife ready for protective coat of Renwax or a knife that needs more work. If I go more abrasive, I come back to the Mother's and renwax steps as followup leading towards completion.
Then I lube the joints, work the blades, remove any excess, and wallah!
el finito!
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@2010 Woseyjales is not a certified knifeologist nor licensed in his state of residence as a teacher or instructor on cutlery restoration or maintenance. This post has not been reviewed or approved by AAPK, Mother's, Case Motor Co., or the NKCA .
Your results may vary. Cash value is zero/hundredths.

Wosey,
You forgot

Offer not valid in NJ, DE, NH or Republic of Congo
May cause headaches, anal leakage, tourettes symptoms

Howard you are too much man

I am not new to anything really as I am 65 but really wanting a few tips like you guys sent. I learn something new everyday, i.e. cleaning out the bolsters with dental floss, that sort of thing ... and whatever NOT to use as it will hurt. Looks like fun. I will be writing from time to time to increase my knowledge. such as I have a knife I have no Idea who the manf. is. It has a diamond with a W in the diamond and the word GERMANY under the diamond stamped on the "tang?"
THANKS OR THE INFO I have lots to leard regarding knives.

garyd wrote:I have a knife I have no Idea who the manf. is. It has a diamond with a W in the diamond and the word GERMANY under the diamond stamped on the "tang?"
THANKS OR THE INFO I have lots to leard regarding knives.

A.W. Wadsworth & Sons, post a picture to be sure

See, I'm smarter now. Thanks guys. BTW ... Why do I find myself looking at knives on the internet and garage sales? I am NOT a collector

Because sir, you've got the bug. It's terminal, I assure you. I'm not a collector either, really I'm not.... Ignore the pile of knives in the background.... I can stop anytime I want!

"Why do I find myself looking at knives on the internet and garage sales?"

They're calling your name gary, just go with it.

BTW

Gary Hello and welcome to the best site on the web.

Soon you can say JUST ONE MORE.

We all say that........