Free Up Penknife

[thescullster]

Hi Guys

A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.

Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.

So far I have tried:

opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket

So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.

Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

Thanks

Phil

[crn]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times cleaning out the thin
recesses which house the blades spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and
opening and closing blades washing with fairy liquid to remove most of
WD40 so the knife can be carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

WD40 is a kerosene based cleaner, not a lubricant.
Try soaking it overnight in light oil such a 3 in one or motorbike fork
oil.

[Tricky Dicky]

Post by crn

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times cleaning out the thin
recesses which house the blades spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and
opening and closing blades washing with fairy liquid to remove most of
WD40 so the knife can be carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

WD40 is a kerosene based cleaner, not a lubricant.
Try soaking it overnight in light oil such a 3 in one or motorbike fork
oil.

+1

[thescullster]

Post by crn

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times cleaning out the thin
recesses which house the blades spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and
opening and closing blades washing with fairy liquid to remove most of
WD40 so the knife can be carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

WD40 is a kerosene based cleaner, not a lubricant.
Try soaking it overnight in light oil such a 3 in one or motorbike fork
oil.

Thanks crn will give that a go

Phil

[Davey]

On Mon, 4 Nov 2024 09:11:46 +0000

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky
affair with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all
blades/gadgets are near impossible to extract, although it looks like
new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action
of the various blades/tools?
Thanks
Phil

I believe the recommended lubricant is Vaseline.

[thescullster]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?
Thanks
Phil

Just found the swiss army knife web site which specifically discourages
the use of WD40 - DOH.

[Adam Funk]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.

(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Adam Funk

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.
(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

I would prefer a dry silicone spray for this purpose - once everything
is freed up.
Grease & oil tend to end up... wherever you don't want grease & oil to be.

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by Adam Funk
I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.
(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

I would prefer a dry silicone spray for this purpose - once everything is
freed up.
Grease & oil tend to end up... wherever you don't want grease & oil to be.

What about a lubricant containing PTFE as used in lock lubricants?

[Adam Funk]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Adam Funk
I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.
(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

I would prefer a dry silicone spray for this purpose - once everything is
freed up.
Grease & oil tend to end up... wherever you don't want grease & oil to be.

Good point. IIRC I applied it sparingly and wiped the blades after
"working it in".

Post by Jeff Gaines
What about a lubricant containing PTFE as used in lock lubricants?

You mean like "WD-40 Dry PTFE Lubricant"? That's a spray so might get
everywhere too, although since it ends up dry, it might be easier to
remove the excess. Can you get non-spray PTFE lubricants?

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by Adam Funk

Post by Jeff Gaines
What about a lubricant containing PTFE as used in lock lubricants?

You mean like "WD-40 Dry PTFE Lubricant"? That's a spray so might get
everywhere too, although since it ends up dry, it might be easier to
remove the excess. Can you get non-spray PTFE lubricants?

This is what I used on my locks:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08Z4D4CLC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

[ARW]

Post by Adam Funk

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.
(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

[Paul]

Post by ARW

Post by Adam Funk

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

I think I've used silicone grease successfully for this.
(As others have mentioned, WD40 isn't really a lubricant.)

http://youtu.be/krCnv9tfHLg

"How to disassemble a Swiss Army Knife"

It mentions a warranty.

Paul

[N_Cook]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?
Thanks
Phil

Remove the plastic facia and seriously heat up might shift things

[Dave W]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?
Thanks
Phil

How is the knife made? What creates the pressure on the stack of
attachments?

[wasbit]

Post by thescullster
Hi Guys
A few years ago I was bought a swiss army knife - a pretty chunky affair
with numerous blades and gadgets.
Anyhow, it has been stuck in a coat pocket and carried around
religiously but never really used.
I came to examine it yesterday and found that almost all blades/gadgets
are near impossible to extract, although it looks like new.
opening and closing the attachments multiple times
cleaning out the thin recesses which house the blades
spraying WD40 onto the hinge points and opening and closing blades
washing with fairy liquid to remove most of WD40 so the knife can be
carried in a pocket
So far the operation of the various gizmos has eased only slightly.
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?
Thanks

The best, cheap, non-specialised penetrant is diesel, however it is oily
& it stinks.

[Thomas Prufer]

Post by thescullster
Is there a better lubricant or method that would improve the action of
the various blades/tools?

I have had good results dropping Swiss Army (and other) knives in an ultrasonic
bath. The cheap "does your glasses" ones are sufficient. It will eventually
strip all lubrication from the innards, along with dirt, corrosion, and fine
gray dust from worn metal.

Beware: resting anything directly on the bottom of the bath may give a worn spot
where whatever contacts the wall of the bath.


Thomas Prufer

[Andy Burns]

an ultrasonic bath. The cheap "does your glasses" ones

I've gone off cleaning glasses in ultrasonic cleaners, eventually the
lens coatings start to flake off, I just dangle the lenses in the
water, rather than sitting the glasses in the bath ...

[Thomas Prufer]

Post by Andy Burns

an ultrasonic bath. The cheap "does your glasses" ones

I've gone off cleaning glasses in ultrasonic cleaners, eventually the
lens coatings start to flake off, I just dangle the lenses in the
water, rather than sitting the glasses in the bath ...

The stronger ultrasonic baths are even worse: reportedly, dropping a zinc
carburetor body in a hot citric acid bath will first get the carb clean, then
very clean, and then dissolve it...

Thomas Prufer