Cleaning dirt from a Swiss army knife.

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Mick P

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Sep 23, 2014
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My godson used his Swiss Army Knife to cut turf rolls at his new house. Now he is hearing the dirt grinding in the folder when he opens it. I recommended that he spray it with a silicon based dry car wash to "float' the dirt, then rinse it out and oil it again after it was thoroughly dry. Any other opinions or assistance would be helpful. There are no screws so he cannot take it apart. Be kind, he's nice young bloke and I have taught him to use his knife for anything - always should be a user. Thanks in advance.
 
Victorinox knives are very corrosion resistant. I clean mine in the sink with dish soap, warm water, and an old toothbrush. Hang it up to dry thoroughly and then lube the joints with a lightweight oil.
 
collim1 said:
Victorinox knives are very corrosion resistant. I clean mine in the sink with dish soap, warm water, and an old toothbrush. Hang it up to dry thoroughly and then lube the joints with a lightweight oil.
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When it's that dirty I'd give it blasts of WD-40, preferably through the red tube that comes with the can, right on the pivot. Give it half-second blasts at two points of the pivot, 180 degrees apart. The '40 will also get rid of any water that came in with the dirt.

You'll end up with a soaked knife so wipe the rest of it and clean it then go back to the pivot and start working it, wiping off the excess as you do. If necessary spray it again. Eventually it will float all the grit out. It may take a couple days for all of the WD-40 to evaporate and the smell to go away but the knife will probably work better than it ever did.
 
I use a pipe cleaner (not the wirey type) to clean out the big stuff then blow it out with compressed air (canned stuff from the computer shop) and then re-oil the joints. Nothing wrong with the old soap and water washing either. Just be sure to re-oil the joints.
Rich
 
It is recommended by Victorinox itself to work out the grit by soap/warm water, rinse thoroughly, dry it & then oil. This tips is printed and included in some of the boxes it comes with (but not all, don't know why?).

The flushing with WD 40 is good idea as well, perhaps even a better way to do it.
 
soap and water. I've gone as far as near boiling water for some really gummy ones, but it can warp the scales a bit if its too hot. old toothbrush, and you are set.
 
Warm running water and Dawn dish soap for me when it comes to dirty SAK's or any pocket knife. JUst dry well and oil after. I think the running water flushes out the dirt better.
 
All of this is good information.
Soap and water-use toothbrush,pipe cleaners, etc. as needed. Shake/pat dry.
Flush excess water out by spraying with WD 40. Dry. Work blade. Keep flushing joints with WD 40 as necessary until grinding is gone.
 
You might also run it through with an ultrasonic cleaner too if the other suggestions don't do the trick. If you don't have one a jewelry repair store might help you out.

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Ken
 
The best method I have found over the years is to flush the knife thoroughly with some kind of solvent (the best is just plain old HOT water) and then blast with at least 90 lbs. of compressed air from a blowgun. Repeat if necessary. You don't need any kind of strong solvent or detergent or silicone - just a liquid to act as a vehicle. Work the blades a few times and rinse and blow. Now lube all of the pivots sparingly. No more grit. If you are a guy and don't own a compressor - you need one.
 
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