Did we talk about alcohol baths?

[Spoonrobot]

Can't remember if I saw it here or elsewhere but there was a post about dunking multitools in "rubbing alcohol" after washing/exposure to moisture. As far as I remember the point was that the alcohol displaces the water and evaporates much more quickly, reducing corrosion and drying the tool out.

Where there any cons to this method? I assume alcohol would do nothing to the steel parts but what about things like the liners on certain Leatherman Models and the locking tabs on Gerbers?

[Hoghead]

I didn't see any threads on this, but can't alcohol damage some plastics?

Wouldn't alcohol remove lubricating oil?

WD40 displaces water.

[Spoonrobot]

Wouldn't alcohol remove lubricating oil?

Well, if you were cleaning your multi this would be something you'd want anyway. If it was exposed to general moisture this would also be a good thing because it would remove moisture over the entire tool and then allow lubrication of the critical areas.

[Hoghead]

If I were to give a multitool a bath, I would prefer alcohol to WD40. I don't hate WD40, but I wouldn't want to dunk a multitool in it.

Would something like "Heat" or isopropyl alcohol have any advantages or disadvantages to rubbing alcohol.

[jzmtl]

I don't think it makes any difference.

[duckman1975]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me alcohol dulls the knife or other sharp edges. Guess this is a job for the mythbusters 

[ultimaonliner]

100% alcohol or 100% acetone is frequently used to dry objects or containers that have been first washed with water.  After you let's say clean a glass flask with water by running it under the faucet.  Then you dump or shake out as much water as you can, but of course the inside of the glass flask will still have water clinging to the side walls and probably even a few millileters on the bottom.


You then pour in some 100% alcohol or 100% acetone, swish it around inside the flask, then dump it out.  The remaining few millileters of solution inside the flask is now mostly either acetone or alcohol, as the water was diluted with the alcohol or acetone and poured out.  The acetone and alcohol because of their low vapor pressures evaporate, leaving you a acetone/alcohol and water-free flask.

[ultimaonliner]

Of course you have to make sure the acetone and alcohol is safe for the objects you want to wash, and that would mean common substances like plastics would not be okay.

[shecky]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me alcohol dulls the knife or other sharp edges. Guess this is a job for the mythbusters 

Funny you should mention this. I've been conducting a crude experiment using a cheap BIC single blade disposable razor. I've found these good for maybe two shaves and then they start to tug at my whiskers. My usual MO was to rinse off the razor after use and put away damp. I suspect this causes some microscopic corrosion on the very edge, quickly degrading performance.

My experiment was to use common 91% isopropyl alcohol to do the final rinse of the razor before putting away. The idea being that the water is largely displaced and the alcohol quickly evaporates. The results so far: two weeks worth of shaves with the same BIC razor and still reasonable performance. So far, it's looking like alcohol may not dull an edge significantly.

I'm actually going to try canned air on the next razor. Not sure if it will make a good dessicant or not. I've considered actually trying WD40, too, the idea that it's able to displace water. However, it does leave solvent and oil behind. I'm a bit worried it'll make some mess, and the smell doesn't appeal to me as an aftershave. 

[duckman1975]

Thanks shecky, thats a good post it confirmed then myth busted. By the way thanks will be saving money on disposable razors 

[Poncho65]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me alcohol dulls the knife or other sharp edges. Guess this is a job for the mythbusters 

 I'm a bit worried it'll make some mess, and the smell doesn't appeal to me as an aftershave. 

  I love the smell of WD wonder why they didn't ever market it as an aftershave  

[Poncho65]

Owe and I think an alcohol bath would prob be a good way to get rid of moisture

[Tsquare]

Acetone would be a no-go on the gerbers locking tabs, I have seen it dissolve screwdriver handles in just a few short hours.   

[kent ct]

The way I clean SAKS. First a dip for about 30 seconds in an ultrasonic with a strong solution of soap and ammonia, blades closed, then again with blades open. Rinse with water, then dip in alcohol followed by blow dry with hair dryer set on low. This should sterilize the knife too. Does not harm the scales.

Richard

[duckman1975]

The way I clean SAKS. First a dip for about 30 seconds in an ultrasonic with a strong solution of soap and ammonia, blades closed, then again with blades open. Rinse with water, then dip in alcohol followed by blow dry with hair dryer set on low. This should sterilize the knife too. Does not harm the scales.

Richard

Whats your source of ammonia and can I use detergent?

[kent ct]

The way I clean SAKS. First a dip for about 30 seconds in an ultrasonic with a strong solution of soap and ammonia, blades closed, then again with blades open. Rinse with water, then dip in alcohol followed by blow dry with hair dryer set on low. This should sterilize the knife too. Does not harm the scales.

Richard

Whats your source of ammonia and can I use detergent?

I use a commercial clock cleaning solution but any solution of soap or detergent with household ammonia should work well.

Richard

[duckman1975]

Is ammonia the same as muriatic acid? Sorry forgot most of my basic chemistry

[kent ct]

Is ammonia the same as muriatic acid? Sorry forgot most of my basic chemistry

Ammonia is ammonia and is not an acid. Can be found in supermarket or hardware store. Look for household ammonia. Fumes will tarnish brass but if immersed  in a solution of ammonia and water it will remove tarnish from brass. It is already in many household cleaning products. Once you smell it you will recognize it, but be careful when smelling it as it is really strong . Used in smelling salts. It is usually added to floor cleaning solutions to increase cleaning efficiency. Before Freon it was used as a refrigerant gas. Full strength ammonia, if you could buy it, would drive you out of the house, so only dilute solutions are available.

Richard 

[duckman1975]

thanks richard

[Pacu]

be sure to put out your fag before alcohol dunks