How to Clean Pocket Knives

Cleaning your pocket knife after every use can prevent rust from accumulating onto the blade and keep your knife looking brand new. One must be cautious while attempting to clean a pocket knife, however. If you are not careful, you could damage the movable parts of the knife or damage the blade. The method for cleaning a plastic pocket knife varies from the method for cleaning knives that won't be damaged by boiling water.

Things You'll Need

• Dusting spray
• Dish rag
• Lubricant
• Cooking pot
• Water
• Tongs
• Hard-bristled toothbrush

Instructions

Plastic pocket knife

1. Open the pocket knife.

2. Apply your dusting spray onto the blade of the knife. Spray liberally to ensure that the blade is coated.

3. Rub the blade with your dish rag. You may need to rub harder in some areas in order to remove gunk and debris from the blade.

4. Turn the pocket knife over and repeat steps 2 and 3 to clean that side of the blade.

5. Spray lubricant onto the movable parts of the pocket knife.

Non-Plastic Knife

1. Fill your pot with water. Place the water on your stove and turn the stove on. Let the water come to a full boil.

2. Put the pocket knife into the boiling water. Let the knife sit in the water for one minute.

3. Remove the pocket knife from the boiling water using tongs.

4. Scrub both sides of the blade of the knife with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Spray the movable parts of the pocket knife with lubricant.

References

• Three Ways to Clean a Pocket Knife (Knife Cleaning 101)
• The Fighting Knife Blog - How to Clean an Old Pocket Knife