How To Clean A Knife With Wd40

Morris Gonstornes · Friday, 19 November 2021

WD40 Okay for Cleaning? 2863

WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« on: April 09, 2007, 09:35:56 PM »

I know all you lucky Americans and Canadians can just walk into Home Depot or a million other places and find aisles and aisles of speSmurfpillsed cleaning products for your knifes and tools but over here WD40 has been about the only thing people have used since WWII, so Im just wondering if spraying and wiping with a rag is an acceptable way to look after a multitool (Swisstool and Charge TTI)? Or is there something better out there that I should order online just to be on the safe side? They wont be getting abused on a daily basis or anything but Im on the West coast of Ireland right on the shores of the Atlantic so its pretty salty around here...

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2007, 10:05:17 PM »

Being one of those lucky Canadians I use a product called Mineral Oil that can be found in any pharmacy (or Chemist) and is usually available in large quantities for little dosh.

Seriously, mineral oil is just about perfect for displacing water and keeping the joints moving. I normally don;t use much other than after a dirty use because any oil can trap gunk inside the pivot points. If you absolutely have to use a lubricant of some kind I suggest powdered graphite which should be available in any hardware shop or locksmith's shop. It will lubricate nicely but won't gum anything up.

Def

Logged

Leave the dents as they are- let your belongings show their scars as proudly as you do yours.

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2007, 10:48:06 PM »

I know all you lucky Americans and Canadians can just walk into Home Depot or a million other places and find aisles and aisles of speSmurfpillsed cleaning products for your knifes and tools but over here WD40 has been about the only thing people have used since WWII, so Im just wondering if spraying and wiping with a rag is an acceptable way to look after a multitool (Swisstool and Charge TTI)? Or is there something better out there that I should order online just to be on the safe side? They wont be getting abused on a daily basis or anything but Im on the West coast of Ireland right on the shores of the Atlantic so its pretty salty around here...

WD 40 is what I use for my multi-tools and knives and have experienced no rust whatever in Vic or Leatherman (which recommends WD 40, btw). An occasional wipedown is all they get, and that only after exposure to wet and dirty conditions. However, I live in the US midwest, a moderate climate far from seawater.

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2007, 11:59:41 PM »

I just read the FAQ on the Leatherman site after reading another thread about it on Knifeforums.com, thanks, nearly midnight over here, both tools should be delivered in the morning, the Swisstool is second hand (but hopefully in perfect condition like the auction said) so I want to give them a clean first thing :laugh:

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2007, 12:46:51 AM »

Y want the best lube and cleaner out there. It has to be Marvels Mystery oil. I have been using this stuff for about 25 years. I learned about the stuff when I was stationed in Nordack Al. the stuff never freezes, thickens, or gums up. Great stuff and extreamly cheap.

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2007, 07:42:57 PM »

Y want the best lube and cleaner out there. It has to be Marvels Mystery oil. I have been using this stuff for about 25 years. I learned about the stuff when I was stationed in Nordack Al. the stuff never freezes, thickens, or gums up. Great stuff and extreamly cheap.

Wow! That's a name I haven't heard anyone mention in a loooong time! My uncle used Marvel's on almost everything. Great stuff. Can be found at your local ACE hardware, too!

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2007, 07:56:24 PM »

Yea my dad swears by MMO too, works better than anything he has tried in a long time.

David

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2007, 01:26:50 PM »

I've found WD40 doesnt work so well on victorinox ( feels gritty even if the tool has been cleaned ) but fine on leatherman . Vics I use normal 3in1 oil but only a very little .My LMs used to get soaked in WD40 to keep the rust away .I have yet to try mineral oil which I understand is food safe , think you can get it in chemists under the name of liquid parrafin ( I think ) .Remember too much oil and you will attract loads of dirt and fluff etc.

Dunc

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2007, 08:37:32 PM »

What would be interesting to try is lubricant used on bicycle parts. It's a dry-lubricant meant to not attract and hold as much dirt as normal wet lubes. I need to get a bottle for my bike for this season anyway so I'll try it on my Core.
--
Splat

Re: WD40 Okay for Cleaning?

« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2007, 01:07:14 AM »

I've found WD40 doesnt work so well on victorinox ( feels gritty even if the tool has been cleaned ) but fine on leatherman . Vics I use normal 3in1 oil but only a very little .My LMs used to get soaked in WD40 to keep the rust away .I have yet to try mineral oil which I understand is food safe , think you can get it in chemists under the name of liquid parrafin ( I think ) .Remember too much oil and you will attract loads of dirt and fluff etc.
Dunc

Thanks for the mention of liquid paraffin I would never have thought of looking that up (as far as I new it was just a laxative for animals). I have just got and used some liquid paraffin and found it is much more like a light machine oil than what I have been using (cooking oil) and not half as sticky. I got it at the chemist and was cheap to buy. When I was reading up on it I found that when scented it makes baby oil.
I use 3-in-1 on my multi-tools but things might change after I see the result from this.

Dave