Exposed rivet knife - tips needed on cleaning toothpick/tweezer areas

[FolderBeholder]

I bought a very used Exposed rivet knife that had tweezers installed, but no toothpick, so junk built up in there.  You can see the ad here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/132140722569?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I was going to use it as a parts knife, but with a little bit of TLC, it may be a nice user EDC.  All tools snap great.  I need to get the one side of scissors replaced.  And even though the tip on the main blade is off, that blade is wicked sharp!

I need to know how to get the inside of the toothpick area cleaned out, any tips?  Ordinarily I could pop off the scales, but I can't do that with this one:

[SteveC]

Soapy water and apipe cleaner would probably work good for that.

[Aloha]

Pipe cleaner thingy and canned air would probably do the trick. 

[FolderBeholder]

I did try soapy water, but I didn't have a pipe cleaner.  I'll get some and retry with water and canned air.
Thank you!

[smiller43147]

I prefer rubbing alcohol to soapy water.  And get "real" pipe cleaners, not the crafting ones.

[FolderBeholder]

I prefer rubbing alcohol to soapy water.  And get "real" pipe cleaners, not the crafting ones.

Hopefully a smoke shop will have the real ones?

[Don Pablo]

Doesn't alcohol sorta melt the celidor? 

[VICMAN]

I bought a very used Exposed rivet knife that had tweezers installed, but no toothpick, so junk built up in there.  You can see the ad here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/132140722569?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I was going to use it as a parts knife, but with a little bit of TLC, it may be a nice user EDC.  All tools snap great.  I need to get the one side of scissors replaced.  And even though the tip on the main blade is off, that blade is wicked sharp!

I need to know how to get the inside of the toothpick area cleaned out, any tips?  Ordinarily I could pop off the scales, but I can't do that with this one:

How about straightening a paper clip and using it with soapy water to clean it out?

[cali-SAK-attack]

1 - Sonic cleaner bath - ( can be pricey - cheaper at harbor frieght - i have 2 USED from goodwill i got for $2 each )
2 - flexible pipe cleaners ( local corner cig/pipe/smoke shop or Micheals for bulk)
3 - canned air with lil red straw (walmart - priced buy 2 get 1 free- mine does anywho  )

[FolderBeholder]

Thanks all, I'll try some of those suggestions. 

[Mactire404]

+1 on the ultrasonic cleaner!

These things are amazing. Fill them with warm water and a decent amount of dishsoap and you'll have a clean SAK in one or two cycles.
It removes dirt from inbetween layers and scales.
What works great for me is to open the tools halfway, that way the contact area with the spring is minimal and there is more rome for the dirt to dissipate from the knife.

Do keep an eye on the temperature of the water though. Keep the scale melting point in mind. You don't want to warp the scales or other plastic components.