pro cleaning...

[HickoryNut]

Hi guys,
Im new to this site...I love it. I have posted a few times and read some things you guys posted. I have bought a few knives off Bryan and am wearing one of his hats as we speak. Im 30 years old and have been facinated and intrieged with quality pocketknives my whole life. Thers my short bio....now for my topic.

Professional Cleaning:
I dont like pro cleaning of knives, I think this brings down the value of the knife. I hate looking at old tested Case knives with a blade thats 90% full and a mirror finish. To me it would be like buying a lie. I am for cleaning knives that have rust and crud down in them. A couple grains of sand in a folding knife can produce a sanding effect when opening and closing. This will reduce snap and give opening and closing a horrible feeling. If I get an old knife I like to clean it with G96 Gun Treatment and if its rusted I use a fine sandpaper. Many "sellers" are knocking off the dirt and ruining these knives with Simichrome and other chemicals. I like seeing the age on a knife, I like seeing the dings and scuffs. These old knives have seen the world and now we are trying to make them look new. You want a new knife, buy a new knife. Like my papaw always said......"Why polish a turd" Light scuffs and small dings should be looked at as character. And if you dont like them, email me with some pictures...i'll buy em.
Nathan

[PA Knives]

HEY!

I have posted on this exact subject several times. There is a particular ebay seller, I think he goes by Mrytlefaye or something like that, that has a lot of old knives that he has professionally cleaned. "I WOULDN'T TOUCH ANY OF THEM" you have no idea what is orignal or tampered with let alone matching parts. IF you like that kind of stuff then have at it. I agree totally witht this post. I use the cotton cleaning wad, a needle glued to the end of a pencil, sewing machine oil and a SOFT cloth. I remove dirt, grim and crud, then rust, oil the joints, wipe over with cotton wadding, then sit and watch TV and gentling go over the entire knife. I wife thinks that I am crazy as I sit there gazing at this old knife wondering where it has been and who has used it.

[smiling-knife]

I saw those 'professionally cleaned' knives on ebay. My instincts told me to stay away. Generally, I follow PAs advice on cleaning. To remove a little rust I use a rust removing gel and a fine pointed artist brush. Work it in with the brush and leave it sit a few moments. If more shifting is needed, I work it around with a wooden toothpick. Even if you do get some on the surrounding area or the handles etc it does not damage the finish. It will dull the shine a little if left too long which can easily be brought back. The benefit of this method is that it avoids the scratching involved with sandpaper and the like. The thing that seems to work for removing finger prints is a little windex on a cotton swab. Wipe with one end and then dry with the other... no streaks. s-k

[sunburst]

Here is an article on the topic of proffesional cleaning I thought would go with this topic:

http://www.vintageknives.com/tek9.asp?id=11&pg=blank