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Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:30 am
by Dilligas
I am ordering a Hornady Ultrasonic cleaner, it's primary function is to clean brass cartridge cases for reloading. They also offer a solution for cleaning gun parts. It seems that this will be ideal for cleaning all the nooks and crannies on a pocket knife as well. It states that it is safe for all gun finishes, I know it will clean all types of gunk and carbon from brass cases and parts.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:45 am
by knives-are-quiet
Let us know how it works out for you.
post pictures before and after.
I'm interested in seeing how it works.
I think I get my teeth cleaned with something like that at the Dentist.
JW
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:59 am
by tjmurphy
The ultrasonic cleaners do a really good job. The only draw-back I can see is that if you have loose or cracked handles it could vibrate them loose also.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:47 am
by orvet
I have thought about getting one.
Every now & then I see one at a pretty reasonable price.
Be sure to let us know how it works.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:43 am
by jerryd6818
My buddy's wife has a jewelry cleaner (same thing?) that uses a liquid. He used it on that faux British Army Knife I bought and it did a great job. After cleaning, it turns out the numbers painted on the mark side handles were also painted on the pile side. Before cleaning you couldn't see the ones on the pile side.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:47 pm
by Dilligas
I will take some pictures when it arrives, I think it will do a good job of cleaning all the gunk from the liners and joints.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:45 am
by RandyFew
I bought the small ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight, along with the chemical they have there. It does a fantastic job, but be advised sometimes a little too good. I cleaned my Imperial DE knife. It took off some of the paint to expose brass scales.

Outside of that, I am very happy with the 25 or so knives that I've cleaned. After the sonic cleaning, I hose the knives down with Liquid Wrench or WD40. Then I take the air hose to them. After the knike is clean, I lubricate it with that "NASA" nonpetroilum oil. I have also cleaned some shell handled knives with good results.

Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:09 pm
by PigSticker
I know of different guys using them on Jap carburators the pic's I've seen look great opposed to what happens to droppin em in a bucket of carb cleaner
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:37 pm
by Dilligas
Well I have run a few knives throuth the cleaner with good results. It does a great job of cleaning the gunk out of the liners, it also seems to remove any stuff between the blade and liners. No damage to bone or delrin but I have not tried celluloid yet.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:20 pm
by MrBlister
How bout a before and after pic of one???
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:39 pm
by stressmaster5000
I just bought one and am satisfied with its cleaning ability. I would make one recommendation though is if you are going to be cleaning knives or other items real often you probably want to buy a "Dual" transducer model with high rating as most single transducer models are limited in ability.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:52 pm
by jerryd6818
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:01 pm
by Joe Dirt
I would like to add to stressmaster5000's suggestion and add "Buy a Heated Model!"
The temperatures aren't high enough to damage celluloid or other materials.
If your impressed with the unheated models, try the heated version!
I used to use one to clean the ink from my tattoo guns in-which there were areas inaccessible by other cleaning methods.
Unfortunately I sold it a few years back, and never even thought about cleaning knives with it
..... Joe
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:15 pm
by stressmaster5000
That one looks like a good Dual Transducer model, but way too high for me since I will only clean a few things every now and then.
Here is the one I bought.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018I ... 00_details
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:44 pm
by jerryd6818

Way too high for me too. That was the reason for the bug eyes X 2.
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:54 pm
by stressmaster5000
Joe Dirt wrote:I would like to add to stressmaster5000's suggestion and add "Buy a Heated Model!"
The temperatures aren't high enough to damage celluloid or other materials.
If your impressed with the unheated models, try the heated version!
..... Joe
While I have yet to try this on celluloid or delrin,etc., I would like to say that the plastic scales found on most modern Swiss Army knives will not stand up to the heat. They tend to warp. The heat of a dishwasher and or boiling water will do it as well. So make sure they go in naked with no scales or only use slightly warm water and stay away from the big heat.
Here is an example of heat damage to some SAK scales.

Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:57 pm
by Joe Dirt
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 3:11 am
by songsingingman

Hey thank you for all the information on cleaning. I got to say I never thought about using an ultrasonic cleaner on my knives but I will be checking them out in the near future. I've been using mineral oil on my bone handle knives just to keep them moist ( just wiping them down with a little on a soft cloth. ) I also use synthetic motor oil to oil my joints on my knives as its so thin a drop seems to go where it does the most good.
This is the best knife site on the internet bar none and I'm proud to be a member. Thank you and God Bless.Alvie songsingingman
Re: Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:13 am
by orvet
I use Quick Release Oil on switchblades, slip joints and tactical knives. It has replaced a bunch of other oil brands I have used on knives with mixed results.
It is one of the very few products that surpass the advertising hype; it is even better than they say it is!
http://smile.amazon.com/Quick-Release-G ... B008RYMM5W
I have even had it bring back snap to blades that had no snap at all!
IMO, it is BETTER than advertised!
