Best care for new black oxide?

Tom Munch · **on:** November 28, 2007, 02:06:50 AM

I got a new Vic Spirit S Black Oxide yesterday. It had a defect & is being swapped, but I thought I'd ask how everyone treats these when they're new. I plan to use it as a daily driver in my regular routine of swapping tools every few days, so it's not critical to me to keep it in "as new" condition. My inclination is to wipe it down thoroughly when new with a cloth to get rid of the majority of loose oxidation that will make a mess of a pocket or fingers for the first couple weeks. What do y'all think?

Tom

Mike D · **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:27:24 AM

What was the defect in the Spirit if you dont mind me asking?

Ive only had two multis with the black finishes, and to tell the truth I really dont like em. They seem to show the wear and tear more readily then the standard polished tools IMO.

jay_imok · **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:41:14 AM

sounds about right to me

Tom Munch · **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:50:54 AM

Quote from: Mike D on November 28, 2007, 02:27:24 AM

What was the defect in the Spirit if you dont mind me asking?

Ive only had two multis with the black finishes, and to tell the truth I really dont like em. They seem to show the wear and tear more readily then the standard polished tools IMO.

I posted the defect in another thread. Here's the problem. On one handle the tools don't mate with the backsprings properly. This causes some of the tools to bind badly when pivoting, & in
the case of the Phillips driver it lifts two backsprings at once & causes the tool next to it to clump & open with the Phillips while being harder to pivot with the force of the two backsprings.

I don't like black tools as much in general. They are more eye candy than anything else. I used to obsessed with black pens & everything else. When I was a kid I even wrapped an entire bat with black electrical tape (much to my dad's upset) just to make it black.

Tom

J-sews · **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:02:24 AM

You already said the most important thing Tom; wipe it down thoroughly with paper towels (dry) as soon as you get it. Every single blade and tool, don't skip any of them. This will get 90% of the loose black residue off, so it doesn't make a mess later.

Anthony · **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:07:20 AM

Quote from: Tom Munch on November 28, 2007, 02:50:54 AM

When I was a kid I even wrapped an entire bat with black electrical tape (much to my dad's upset) just to make it black.

Tom

That's what spray paint is for!

As for black tools...the two I've ever owned were previously owned and therefore free of any residue. And I like the "wear and tear" look they get with use, and I can get a better grip on them in comparison to stainless/shiny tools.

Tom Munch · **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:13:15 AM

Quote

That's what spray paint is for!

You're right. I didn't discover that until Halloween!

Tom Munch · **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:14:08 AM

Quote from: J-sews on November 28, 2007, 03:02:24 AM

You already said the most important thing Tom; wipe it down thoroughly with paper towels (dry) as soon as you get it. Every single blade and tool, don't skip any of them. This will get 90% of the loose black residue off, so it doesn't make a mess later.

Thanks. That's what I'll do then.

J-sews · **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:00:00 AM

That Black Spirit is a deep dark beauty. Say what you want, but I know you'll be sad when she gets her first scratch!

Tom Munch · **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:08:02 AM

It is a beautiful piece. I wiped down this defective one & it had already lightened significantly - especially the blades which I had washed to cut some veggies at lunch. It looks vaguely brassy under the oxidation. I like it.

Benner · **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:45:36 PM

I'm beginning to really like the look of the BO tools.

The Spirit looks gorgeous in Black.

Tom Munch · **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2007, 02:03:39 AM

I'm wondering what dishwashing a black oxide Spirit would make it look like. Maybe it would be like acid-washed jeans or something. Could look pretty cool. I assume that you can wash Vic black oxide tools just like you can wash the stainless ones.

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2007, 02:54:33 AM

Errr...I've never tried it

WhichDawg · **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2007, 04:15:57 PM

well I just ordered a black Spirit, I blame Tom! (j/k) so I had to re-read this thread

Tom Munch · **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2007, 05:52:15 PM

Sorry, Dawg! I'm enjoying mine.

J-sews · **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2007, 06:14:51 PM

Hehe, this is a cute touch:

joebw · **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2007, 08:20:37 PM

I wonder whether the finish on the black swisstools is black oxide or black chrome plating? Anyone know? If they are black chrome plated, the finish won't turn your hands black nor will it scratch as easily as bo.

Joe

Tom Munch · **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2007, 08:36:21 PM

It's black oxide, & if you read the beginning of this thread you'll see how much it needs to be wiped down at first.

WhichDawg · **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2007, 09:58:52 PM

Now that you've had it a bit, how you liking it Tom? Like the blunt knife (which is different so I like it).
It looks like a good fit. I read DavidBin's review and found it very interesting.
I have the RS and while it is definitely one of my favs, it is big!

J-sews · **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2007, 10:55:44 PM

Quote from: joebw on December 08, 2007, 08:20:37 PM

I wonder whether the finish on the black swisstools is black oxide or black chrome plating? Anyone know? If they are black chrome plated, the finish won't turn your hands black nor will it scratch as easily as bo.

Joe

Hi Joe,
It is indeed black oxide, but so deep and dark that it looks like chrome. (I'm guessing because of the high polish done on the metal before blackening)

Bob

Tom Munch · **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2007, 11:25:21 PM

I like it pretty well. It does show scratches almost immediately. I wiped it down with an old clean & soft t-shirt everywhere before I started using it. There is more friction in the hand from the BO. The tools open a little more stiffly as well. I was going to use it as a daily driver, but I find I'm using it more as a collectible piece.

WhichDawg · **Reply #21 on:** December 09, 2007, 02:01:33 AM

how are you carrying it Tom? just on your belt? One thing I'm really wanting to try is a combo deal.
an under 6" fixed blade with a piggy back pouch for a multitool. I have a friend who makes great
sheaths and combo packages (kydex, leather) and one reason I really like the Spirit is it's nice light
weight.

Tom Munch · **Reply #22 on:** December 09, 2007, 02:55:32 AM

I'm carrying it on a magnetic lanyard.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1050.0.html

WhichDawg · **Reply #23 on:** December 09, 2007, 08:35:42 AM

pretty cool Tom! but alot of my blow-up dolls have metal rhinestones, could be a problem!!

I'll have to try it bro, ty

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2007, 05:31:17 PM

Quote from: WhichDawg on December 09, 2007, 08:35:42 AM

pretty cool Tom! but alot of my blow-up dolls have metal rhinestones, could be a problem!!
I'll have to try it bro, ty

That's a load of info to wake up to on a Sunday morning

I'll likely give a magnetic lanyard a try myself

Tom Munch · **Reply #25 on:** December 09, 2007, 05:53:03 PM

It works well on any tool that has a good bit of steel in the butt end. You can also attach another magnet on the tool if there isn't enough steel there.

WhichDawg · **Reply #26 on:** December 09, 2007, 07:20:32 PM

Quote from: Bison56 on December 09, 2007, 05:31:17 PM

Quote from: WhichDawg on December 09, 2007, 08:35:42 AM
pretty cool Tom! but alot of my blow-up dolls have metal rhinestones, could be a problem!!
I'll have to try it bro, ty
That's a load of info to wake up to on a Sunday morning I'll likely give a magnetic lanyard a try myself

lol sorry Bison, that joke was screaming to be said!

I'm gonna try that Tom, where do you get them?

Tom Munch · **Reply #27 on:** December 10, 2007, 06:26:53 AM

I ordered mine from a fishing supply place. There may be some links at the beginning of this thread. Let me look.

Tom Munch · **Reply #28 on:** December 10, 2007, 06:28:35 AM

I meant on the magnetic lanyard thread. There are a bunch of links toward the bottom of the first page.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1050.0.html

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