How To Clean A Sticky Knife - Scout Life Magazine

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Q. Whenever I go camping I always cut oranges with my knife. But then my knife sticks and is hard to get open. What is the best way to de-stick my knife? — Sticky Fetzko, Munhall, Pa.

A. First, try licking the juice off the blade … wait, bad idea! Very bad idea.

Here’s what my friend Jeff Freeman, a big-time knife designer with Gerber Legendary Blades, recommends: “Wash your knife in warm water with simple dish soap. This will get the acid off. Be sure to get any gunk out of the knife’s locking mechanism. (Try using a toothpick.) Then, towel it dry or let it air dry.

“If you live by the coast where there’s lots of salt air, dab a little motor oil on a rag and rub it onto the blade. Finally, wipe it off with a towel.”

Knives

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24 Comments on How to clean a sticky knife

Survival ben // May 30, 2018 at 2:19 am // Reply
Straight after cutting something wipe with damp cloth no need for soap
Kosmo // December 12, 2017 at 8:18 pm // Reply
Do what the guy from Gerber suggests.
Gearguy2 // August 25, 2017 at 7:07 am // Reply
I’m awesome 😋😋
Joe // April 23, 2017 at 10:30 am // Reply
Use canola oil, brings the grime right off
Sleight of Hand // April 7, 2017 at 2:05 pm // Reply
WD-40 works fine, make sure to get it into the hinges and in the grooves where the blades are stored Use a Toothbrush and move the blades during this cleaning so the WD-40 gets into every surface. Then wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth and dry completely…before applying a drop or two of a good oil (3-in-one, or an oil made for knife lubrication).
bill // October 25, 2016 at 4:05 pm // Reply
knives that have been stored, need cleaning – what the best – new but forty years old just never used. don’t want to harm them. blades and brass or stainless stell handle ends.
Pete // July 20, 2016 at 3:55 pm // Reply
I would recommend cooking oil, mineral oil or petroleum jelly (Vaseline is one brand name) instead of motor oil for a knife in contact with food. Candle wax is also good. Wipe the knife clean after applying, using a clean dry cloth.
concougar // July 23, 2014 at 7:38 pm // Reply
try toothpaste and water
Ponani // June 23, 2014 at 11:55 pm // Reply
It’s called soap & water. Give it a try.
Sly Fox // June 23, 2014 at 11:13 pm // Reply
Wipe it down with your honing oil, it’s the best oil for your knife. It’s also a consumable unlike motor oil or WD-40 cleaning solution.
lifer2010 // January 14, 2012 at 6:51 pm // Reply
definetely dont lick it, i tried that after cutting oranges and it cut my lip which bled for about 2 hours
- scout4life // June 23, 2014 at 2:32 pm // Reply
  same here, lol
pack37 // December 6, 2011 at 6:08 pm // Reply
to get grime of my pocket knife I put lemon juice on an old toothbrush and scrubed.
Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 20, 2011 at 8:54 pm // Reply
Jeff Freeman designed my knife! The Gerber LMF II. great job Jeff!
scouter // July 2, 2011 at 4:02 pm // Reply
stick in & out of the dirt then wipe it off clean….or have a small bottle on your belt loop of hand sanitizer (alcohol)!
- Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 22, 2012 at 11:28 am // Reply
  DO NOT stick ANY knife EVER in and out of the dirt! that will dull and chip the blade faster then any thing else. dirt and rocks are a knifes worst enemy.
- Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 22, 2012 at 11:32 am // Reply
  BAD,BAD,BAD IDEA!! DONT LISTEN TO HIM!! HE JUST EXPLAINED THE BEST WAY TO RUIN A KNIFE!! NEVER, EVER STICK YOUR KNIFE IN THE DIRT!!!!!!!!!
556 // May 28, 2011 at 9:56 pm // Reply
just wipe it with a towl
musle bob // March 15, 2010 at 5:51 pm // Reply
try using rubbing alchol it should knock it right out
ma6666 // January 14, 2010 at 7:54 pm // Reply
so coool i will try that ting man so coool
piggy // November 21, 2009 at 8:42 am // Reply
great idea i used to have the same problem
aaaaaaaaverdr // November 1, 2009 at 7:42 am // Reply
cool I will try it
big boy // October 28, 2009 at 2:40 pm // Reply
i really want a pocketknife
gearguy2 // October 27, 2009 at 7:39 pm // Reply
Q-tips also work for cleaning knifes, but make it wet to clean sticky stuff off.