Clean a Slip joint?

The Government

The Government

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Aug 21, 2009
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what is the best way to clean a slip joint knife?

Imagine that for whatever reason your knife really needs a full cleaning job. Maybe you dropped it in the mud, processed an animal, or anything that would require some serious cleaning. What do you use and how do you clean it?

This question is mainly geared towards slip joints with natural materials like wood/ bone handles, but knowing how you clean a yeller sodbuster would be great too.

Thanks for the knowledge:).
 
If really dirty, some people recommends really hot water and soap. Then oil the joints with mineral oil. I just soak the whole knife in mineral oil. Don't soak wood scales in mineral oil though. It will swell the wood.

God Bless
 
I clean my Sod Buster Jr. once a week when i'm stropping it up. I normally take a q tip and wet it and just run it along the inside of the handles. Every now and then I have to lube up the pivot area but i've only had to do that once. Hope you find what you're looking for.
 
kidwholaughs said:
If really dirty, some people recommends really hot water and soap. Then oil the joints with mineral oil. I just soak the whole knife in mineral oil. Don't soak wood scales in mineral oil though. It will swell the wood.

God Bless
Click to expand...

It's a method I've used over the years.

Fill a bowl or some other clean container with dishwashing liquid and hot water.
Drop the knife in (knife blades all in the fully open position) and swish it around a few times.

Remove it quickly. Rinse it well with hot water. Then wipe it off - immediately - thoroughly with a clean soft cloth. (Not paper towel.) Use compressed air to dry out the pivots and other areas that the cloth won't reach. You can also use a wooden toothpick wrapped in cloth for cleaning really tight places. Be sure that the knife is completely dry. Then use some lube on the pivots.

Obviously, this method is not appropriate for all slipjoints, especially those with handle materials which don't respond well to water.
 
Last edited:
rifon2 said:
It's a method I've used over the years.
Obviously, this method is not appropriate for all slipjoints, especially those with handle materials which don't respond well to water.
Click to expand...

how does bone do with water/ soap?

Thanks for all the responses guys:thumbup:.
 
The Government said:
how does bone do with water/ soap?

Thanks for all the responses guys:thumbup:.
Click to expand...

That's what the mineral oil is for. If your knife is carbon steel with bone scales. Make sure you use generous amount of mineral oil. After you dry the knife off from the hot water.

God Bless
 
Don't use mineral oil on bone, stag or other matural materials. It will soften and discolor them. Soap & water, with a very hot water rinse is fine. Finish with a hair dryer. WD 40 in the joints and recesses is a good idea to both slightly lubricate/prevent rust, and displace any hidden moisture. Then lube the pivot with any good lubricant. Use paste wax or neutral shoe polish on natural materials.
 
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