All About Pocket Knives

I was ask a lot of questions last week about how and what tools I use to glean up a knife.
Well.... here is a pic or 2 of some of my tools.....
Here is a bunch of my tools in a pile posing for a pic. From left...
Sandpaper cloth tape (that's what I call it). This stuff came from Brownells and it comes in several grits. What is shown is 320 grit.
The paper is laying on my sanding block/stick. I made it from a piece of 1" scrap wood. I added a screw and wing nut to the top along with a piece of wood that acts like a clamp to hold the paper. Here it is with the sandpaper in place ready for business. One thing I found that you can do with those giant Q-tips is that you can hammer the cotton part flat and then you can get down inside a blade well to get the gunk out.
Here is one flattened and a normal one.... I use a liberal dose of CLP (which is a gun cleaner/lube) first pop out of the box on a knife that needs cleaning. Then, I start to work the blades (with a cloth wrapped around the blade). You would be surprised at how MUCH better a folding knife blade will work IF IT IS OILED..... LOL.
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One other thing I have found really handy is some sand paper applied to a Popsicle stick with a piece of double sticky tape. You can get into the blade wells and up close to the area where the blade and liner meet at the hinged end. To make these things you can put a piece of sandpaper face down on your table. Then, lay out rows of double sticky tape. Then, peel the protector off the other side of the tape and add the Popsicle sticks. You can use an exacto knife or a razor knife to cut the sticks apart. I write the grit of the paper on the back of the stick. You can make a pile of these and keep 'em in a box on your table.
Also, you have your trusty (SHARP) file. There isn't ANYTHING more frustrating that trying to file a blade with a DULL file.
You can use a file to do semi-finish work after you have done as much damage as you feel comfortable with on your motorized belt sander.
Below is a Kabar I am starting some restore/clean up work on....
You can see how the 90 degree sanding method puts that satin / brushed look on a blade.

Here is a few pics of the sanding method I use in practice....
. You can use any grit paper you want to achieve the finish you see as best.

Cool!
I really like the flattened Q-Tip trick

Thanks Steve...
If anyone picks up something that makes their clean up a little easier then this post was worth my efforts.

Mike, thanks for sharing! I love that sanding tool you made. The wing nut block attachment is a great idea! I'm going to make myself a copy today. Incredible transformation on that blade shown in your pictures!

Exceptional job, on that blade! I like the popsicle idea,too.

Some good info Mike! Thanks for sharing.
Jeff

Great work, Mike! You really brought that blade back to life. Those grinder sharpener guys really know how to trash a blade.

Very knice!!! I like it!!!!!

Thanks for posting, I like your sanding block

I made some sanding sticks too, but just wrapped the sandpaper around the stick and taped it in place. It frequently comes off - your idea is SO much cooler! I may copy that as well!

Thanks for the comments everyone!
Like I said... If I have shown y'all one idea that will make your clean up jobs easier... then this thread is worth my while for posting it.
Enjoy those clean ups everyone!!

Very good thread. I also like using the long reach swabs, and I also like to uses these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4 ... UTF8&psc=1 Also use them on cleaning chambers and slide rails.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:58 pm Very good thread. I also like using the long reach swabs, and I also like to uses these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4 ... UTF8&psc=1 Also use them on cleaning chambers and slide rails.

Thank you, I've been wanting something other than Q-tips. I just order me some using your link.

dlr110 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:33 pm

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:58 pm Very good thread. I also like using the long reach swabs, and I also like to uses these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4 ... UTF8&psc=1 Also use them on cleaning chambers and slide rails.

Thank you, I've been wanting something other than Q-tips. I just order me some using your link.

Glad I could help out.
The three smaller sizes I use with knives, the larger ones I use on pistols. If yours comes to you like mine did, they will be in a larger plastic bag, with each set of swabs in a smaller bag for each size.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:58 pm Very good thread. I also like using the long reach swabs, and I also like to uses these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4 ... UTF8&psc=1 Also use them on cleaning chambers and slide rails.

My order just got hand delivered, but now I need to get a couple more knives to try them on.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:58 pm Very good thread. I also like using the long reach swabs, and I also like to uses these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4 ... UTF8&psc=1 Also use them on cleaning chambers and slide rails.

Those look like they are VERY useful. I think I need some for my clean-up arsenal. Thanks for the heads up Papa.

dlr110 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 28, 2020 5:36 pm My order just got hand delivered, but now I need to get a couple more knives to try them on.

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:45 am
Those look like they are VERY useful. I think I need some for my clean-up arsenal. Thanks for the heads up Papa.

Glad I could help!

Thank you Mike,
Pure gold,
There is some very handy information there.

I be using quite a few ideas there,

thanks
Ozwelder

Yes, thank you for sharing your trade secrets Mike, really appreciate it .

LOL..... not secrets..... just my ideas gleaned from other people.
I'm just glad somebody finds it useful.
Carry on!

Just completed cleaning the Ironwood covers on this knife, Ironwood is a very dense wood and the amount of grime that came out of it was staggering, i can only imagine what must get into softer woods.The original color of the wood has gone, and it has become a lot darker with use, but that happens with all wood scales after time. .

Nice!
I like the fact there are no Dremel type tools or buffers shown. I believe the touch and care of a human hand is reflected in the finished product. There are a few people who can work magic with electronic polishing tools, but they have usually done this type of work professionally, and, in the process, many of them lose the passion for it. - John

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK ON CLEANING...