How do you remove lube from knives?

G

Gideons

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Hey guys,

I put a little much too much lube on my knife, and it is causing lock stick. Will use a q-tips to reach, but I hear some people use windex on the q-tip to help remove, any suggestions?

-Gideons
 
What knife is it? Are you comfortable with taking it apart? That is what I would do and probably the easiest way to clean the lube up, then re add a little drop or two.
 
I use alcohol pads that I get in the drug store. They're pretty thin and they can reach a lot of places. The alcohol will help clean the lube off of the blade tang or lockbar face or whatever. I use 'em when I'm sharpening, too, to remove residue and strop compound from the blade.
 
Taking it apart is best if you can. Chances are there are videos on youtube that will show you how to take apart your knife if you don't know how. I use alcohol to remove gunk on my blades too.
 
Rinse it with some soap under water. Open close it. Dry it. Blow into pivot so water comes out. If you don't want to take it apart that is. Reaply your lube. That what i would do.
 
gazz98 said:
Taking it apart is best if you can. Chances are there are videos on youtube that will show you how to take apart your knife if you don't know how. I use alcohol to remove gunk on my blades too.
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Like rubbing alcohol?
 
Disassembly is the best way to clean a dirty or over-lubed knife if you're comfortable with that process. Once apart, I would wipe everything down with alcohol then use windex to finish it off. Ball-bearing knives are more difficult and cleaning there depends on whether the bearings are captured or loose. When re-assembling, pre-lube judiciously and lightly--lube also helps keep things in place when putting the knife back together.

The issue with trying to clean up an over-lube problem without disassembly is that the lube will likely continue to migrate out of the pivot area until there's no longer too much there. I've never been big on using soap and water on assembled folding knives, as it's hard to get it all out. Compressed air contains compressed water, so you could be putting back in as much moisture as you're blowing out. This is especially true in a humid or coastal environment such as my own. The little cans of compressed air are good if you're ok with buying "empty" cans. I prefer a hair dryer on moderate heat, turning the knife to vent out the moisture.

For cleaning an assembled knife, I'll use thin, wood-handled cotton swabs with alcohol. Pipe cleaners and alcohol work well in tight spots like between the lock-bar and tang. You may have to repeat the process several times before all the excess lube can be eliminated.

When lubing an assembled knife, a little goes a long way. Use a needle-oiler and put one tiny drop each side of the pivot as far away from the lock-ramp as possible. It's easier to add a little more later than to get it back out. Give it some time to work in.
 
What type of lube and what type of knife? 2 important facts to know before deploying any answers.

Most of the time all you need to do is wipe the metal surfaces with a rag since oil can't soak into metal.
 
Danke42 said:
What type of lube and what type of knife? 2 important facts to know before deploying any answers.

Most of the time all you need to do is wipe the metal surfaces with a rag since oil can't soak into metal.
Click to expand...
XM-18 and Daiwa
 
Blues Bender said:
Just squirt some Naptha (lighter fluid) in it to flush the oil out, then just reapply.
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^This^.
Really no need to have to take it apart.
And FWIW, I've never had, nor heard of any issues regarding composite scales and using Naphtha. YMMV...
 
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Rubbing alcohol, finger-nail polish remover, acetone, non-chlorinated brake cleaner (auto parts store), etc.
You can also find cleaning solvents for guns that are pressurized. The brake cleaner is also in a pressurized spray can and works very well for gun or knives. Don't need to take it apart. Spray it...move the blade 30 degrees, spray again and let dry...no residue...
 
I use dishwashing Dawn diluted in hot water with a dedicated toothbrush and tooth picks.
Really bad used knives with years of lub and crud do no stand a chance.

Regards,
FK
 
If you don't want to take the knife apart I would use this: Remington Shotgun Cleaner Bore Cleaning Solvent. You can spray this into the nooks and crannies and it will displace any oil or grease. Be warned this stuff will remove all oil from the blades and you will need to re-lube and re-oil when done. It completely leaves oiled and greased metal void of any lubricant and you can start fresh. I use it on precision triggers for guns and it does a great job of getting in the spots I cannot reach.




 
As I say a lot here- those screws are for assembly- not disassembly.
Brake cleaner works wonders- but it can dry out some scales and they will need to be oiled afterwards. Detergent and water work pretty well.
Regardless- all these methods will strip all the oil out of the knife.
I recommend flushing the knife with WD 40- especially after using water. WD 40 will get a thin film of oil in all the places you can't reach, and it displaces water.
 
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