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How to clean a SAK?

RedRamage · 19 · 3196
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Offline RedRamage

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How to clean a SAK?
on: February 29, 2012, 06:10:34 PM
So I had a custom SAK made for me a number of years ago.  I still use it daily but it's getting older and not everything is opening and closing like it's supposed to.  It's dusty and dirty.  I was thinking of getting a new one, but I really like my customized one.

What's the best way to give this puppy a complete and total cleaning top to bottom?  I know the floss trick for the pliers and scissors joint.  But I also really just want this thing working like new.  Any suggestions?
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nl Offline Reinier

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #1 on: February 29, 2012, 06:19:45 PM
I usually clean them with soapy water and a brush. Opening and closing the tools several times in warm water may be enough to get that smooth action back :)
WD-40 does the trick if there is a lot of sticky dirt and grit.

Don't put them in the dishwasher :ahhh
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
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scotland Offline colinoutdoors

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #2 on: February 29, 2012, 06:37:22 PM
I do the same as Reinier, soap and water and and old tooth brush. Last of my SAK's to get a bath was my second Dutch Army Knife. To dry the tools I take a Scott Shop Towel and spend half an hour drying all the nooks and crannies in the tool, usually while watching TV  ;).

us Offline valvestem125

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #3 on: February 29, 2012, 08:24:15 PM
I was going to suggest a can of automotive brake cleaner, but it may attack the scales, I dunno.  But what is nice about brake cleaner, is  that is can blast the oily solidified grit and dirt out of the crevices pretty good.  I'd follow up with a dunking in mineral oil.

cy Offline dks

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #4 on: February 29, 2012, 08:36:29 PM
What was said before...
also you can use an ultrasonic cleaner, for the hard to reach parts and as a last resort a dishwasher with no soap or salt in..
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ca Offline Syph007

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #5 on: February 29, 2012, 09:26:19 PM
I just remove the torx scews and wash with soap and water!  :D

Sorry I couldnt resist being a wiseguy!   :rofl:

It does come in handy though.

« Last Edit: February 29, 2012, 10:05:16 PM by Syph007 »
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nl Offline Reinier

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #6 on: February 29, 2012, 09:40:14 PM
That's the proper way to do it :tu:
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
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gb Offline nsa-x-file

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #7 on: February 29, 2012, 10:03:02 PM
Wish I could take some of mine apart like that.
Great idea having torx screws.
 :salute:

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be Offline Top-Gear-24

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #8 on: February 29, 2012, 10:51:21 PM
Quote from: colinoutdoors on February 29, 2012, 06:37:22 PM
I do the same as Reinier, soap and water and and old tooth brush. Last of my SAK's to get a bath was my second Dutch Army Knife. To dry the tools I take a Scott Shop Towel and spend half an hour drying all the nooks and crannies in the tool, usually while watching TV  ;).

I use the exact same ritual ... (most of the time while watching Dual Survival, Mythbusters or Top-Gear  ;)).

And after the cleaning and drying I use some of the Victorinox Multitool Oil and it's like new again  8).
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us Offline ColoSwiss

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #9 on: February 29, 2012, 11:21:36 PM
After soaking I use pipe cleaners, Q-tips and occasionally a fine screwdriver to clean out the nooks and crannies.

Karl
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us Offline ironraven

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #10 on: March 01, 2012, 01:58:32 AM
OK... I think I'm overdoing it then....  :whistle:

Q-tips, toothpicks, cotton balls, bore patches, rubbing alcohol, canned air, green and blue scrubbie pads if there is something really stuck in there, masking tape to I keep my fingerprints, a vice so I have both hands, dental picks and probes, dental floss and yarn, sometimes even a bit of 1-in-20 bleach mix if I think there might be blood in a new one, and ending in a bit of mineral oil for the pins and for sharpening.

Irr... I don't have OCD.
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us Offline Singh

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #11 on: March 03, 2012, 08:25:51 PM
Quote from: Syph007 on February 29, 2012, 09:26:19 PM
I just remove the torx scews and wash with soap and water!  :D

Sorry I couldnt resist being a wiseguy!   :rofl:

It does come in handy though.

(Image removed from quote.)

well-played, sir.  :salute:
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gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #12 on: March 03, 2012, 09:00:19 PM
I clean my SAKs out when they stop functioning correctly - too much gunk for the springs to work right. That might be a little (lot) more frequent for me than many other people

Usually I'll just have a poke around with an awl or nail or paperclip with some tissue wrapped round it to get the thick of it out, then work a bit of clean oil in and it's back into service. Occasionally I need to pop the scales off and have a bit of a wipe down (or scrape normally) under there too.

I don't try to get my tools immaculate, there's no point. It'll just get full of gunk again with me anyway. Finger prints and scratches are signs of use too - which is where the fun is  :D
« Last Edit: March 03, 2012, 10:06:26 PM by 50ft-trad »


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us Offline MadPlumbarian

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #13 on: March 03, 2012, 09:09:53 PM
Well before i moved i used to use a automotive parts washer, toothbrush, and pipe cleaners, but i had to put it in storage..  JR
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ca Offline kahyja

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #14 on: March 03, 2012, 09:49:36 PM
Quote from: Syph007 on February 29, 2012, 09:26:19 PM
I just remove the torx scews and wash with soap and water!  :D

Sorry I couldnt resist being a wiseguy!   :rofl:

It does come in handy though.

(Image removed from quote.)

Very cool!!Can you tell me what are the size of those screws for that 3 layer mod?? Thanks

ca Offline Syph007

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #15 on: March 03, 2012, 10:39:35 PM
Quote from: kahyja on March 03, 2012, 09:49:36 PM

Very cool!!Can you tell me what are the size of those screws for that 3 layer mod?? Thanks

Those are 0.125" pivots, exactly 0.5 inches long. 

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us Offline Donald

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #16 on: March 03, 2012, 11:18:09 PM
I'm impressed Syph007 !  :cheers:

ca Offline kahyja

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #17 on: March 04, 2012, 02:08:05 PM
Quote from: Syph007 on March 03, 2012, 10:39:35 PM
Quote from: kahyja on March 03, 2012, 09:49:36 PM

Very cool!!Can you tell me what are the size of those screws for that 3 layer mod?? Thanks

Those are 0.125" pivots, exactly 0.5 inches long. 

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=60_83&products_id=471
Ok Thanks! Did you drill the center hole scales and backspring at .125'' ??

ca Offline Syph007

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Re: How to clean a SAK?
Reply #18 on: March 04, 2012, 02:45:28 PM
Quote from: kahyja on March 04, 2012, 02:08:05 PM
Quote from: Syph007 on March 03, 2012, 10:39:35 PM
Quote from: kahyja on March 03, 2012, 09:49:36 PM

Very cool!!Can you tell me what are the size of those screws for that 3 layer mod?? Thanks

Those are 0.125" pivots, exactly 0.5 inches long. 

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=60_83&products_id=471
Ok Thanks! Did you drill the center hole scales and backspring at .125'' ??

Yep, I've got a thread dedicated to my learning in the mod section.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,34772.0.html

PM me or email sakmodder [at] gmail . com if you are looking for custom SAK work.

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