I've never tried taking a pocket knife apart so I'm not sure I really want to go that route if I can avoid it at all. I am 15 and I do not have any knife fixer upper things in my house. Once each is cleaned individually, open them all together and again scrub and clean them and the inside of the body. While it’s true that rusty knives are mostly an aesthetic issue, rust sometimes rubs off during food preparation, and excessive rust renders a knife unusable. Leave the paste on your knife for about an hour or two. Do not use CLR on galvanized metal, as it may cause spotting on the zinc coating of the blade. If you'll carry a knife for general purpose, and can keep track of an expensive piece of small equipment, you'll do very well with the Benchmade Mini Barrage 585. Put about a quarter (1/4) cup of baking soda in a glass bowl, and add a small amount of water to create a paste. You can just hold your knife under some warm running water to clean it. Then, dry off the knife with a clean, dry cloth. Alternatively, rub half a lemon along the knife blade, then wipe away the liquid and rust with a scouring pad. There are several kinds of lubricant that you can use; most are petroleum based products that are the same as any lube you might use for a sewing machine or as gun oil. You must be thinking to keep it and use it, but do you know how to remove rust from that pocket knife of yours? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Let us know! Make a paste of baking soda by mixing it in a little water. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Once you remove the rust and get the metal perfectly dry, there’s one final step to prevent the rust from returning: coat the blade with a little mineral oil on a soft cloth. You have to be sure that you don’t leave the juice on your knife for too long to save it from getting damaged. Not a bad deal! There are three ingredients needed to create rust: air, water, and iron. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and scrub it into the blade using a wire brush. Well, now it will. For stubborn rust stains, soak the blade in the vinegar dish soap solution for an hour. This technique successfully removes small rust stains from steel knives. A little goes a long way so don't use too much. For a nice beginning, trying to remove rust from the knife with simplicity seems a nice idea. When done, wash the knife again, thoroughly dry and air dry it, and you should be ready to use it. Yes, you should be able to get the rust out. Why carry a knife? When all the rust has been removed, clean it with soap and water. To know how to remove rust stains from a steel blade, it’s necessary first to understand what exactly rust is. Thanks (I dont know what category to put this in. So, when you mix the blade of your knife with water and air, you will get rust. Check out the Best Pocket Knife to compare all of the models that we tested. To remove rust from your pocket knife, try using white vinegar. plastic, bone, wood, stone). All trademarks property of their respective owners Stainless steel is made with around 10.5% chromium, and while this is more resistant to rust and corrosion, thanks to its protective layer, it will still rust in certain conditions without a much higher chromium level. This should loosen up the rust spots and make them easier to remove. Apply the lubricant sparingly, dabbing it onto the hinges and moving parts. By following these natural methods, [1] X Research source Use regular water to clean away any dirt or stains. For the best solution, mix equal parts warm water and lemon juice in a tall cup, then leave the rusty utensil soaking for ten minutes. If you’re interested in learning how to remove rust from knives without breaking out the lemons, try citric acid powder, available at businesses like grocery stores and health food stores. To get rust off stainless steel knives or other utensils, pour the baking soda into a bowl and add water a little bit at a time until you have a thick paste. This method mixes the abrasiveness of salt with the acidity of lemon to target smaller rust spots. A dull knife leads to unsafe practices when making desired cuts; a dirty knife won't close properly which can make for a dangerous situation. Make a thick paste by mixing baking soda with water. With a drop of soap on your brush, thoroughly but carefully scrub the entire knife. Apply oil to the rusted blade before you use the rotary blade. Cleaning your pocket knife with a lemon is probably Use a wire brush or steel wool to scrub the knife to remove all the rust. As always, once you remove the rust with a cloth, scouring pad, or dish sponge, rinse away the vinegar and rust flakes and wipe the utensil with a clean, dry cloth. For proper knife maintenance, it’s vital to wash blades by hand and to make sure that they’re completely dry before putting them away. Use the magic eraser to scrub the rust spots off of your knife blade. A pocket knife is a handy thing to have…but it's not so useful if it's dirty and dull. To remove significant rust from your pocket knife, submerge it in a bowl of vinegar and leave it to sit overnight. - Sunset Chasing Blonde. If stains persist, use CLR at full strength (not diluted with water), and rinse right away with cold water. You can't get rid of the scratches, but you can improve the appearance of your knife by keeping it clean and oiling your knife. It is a good idea to wipe down the blade, tools and the handle to prevent any future rusting. the leatherman has rust on the pliers and the philips head screwdriver and other smaller bits on the tool. This steel is called H1 and is often found in Spyderco Salt Series knives. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you have a chrome blade, it’s possible to use a crumpled-up ball of aluminum foil to remove rust, but it could, again, scratch your knife. To prevent a knife from rusting, check your knives occasionally and clean and oil them when necessary. Wipe it away after a minute or two and dry it. There is one true type of stainless steel which is stainproof, which means that it won’t rust. Use a wire brush, and an old toothbrush, tin foil, steel wool, or sandpaper to scrub off the rust from your pocket knife. Supplies for Removing Rust from Knives Acid: lemon juice, white vinegar, or potato/onion Dish soap Salt Baking soda Water Mineral oil Cleaning supplies: cloths, a dish sponge, a scouring pad, a toothbrush, a tall glass, mixing bowls wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Stick the rusted blade directly into a potato and leave it there for a few hours. If you don’t have a knife sharpener, sharpen them using everyday objects like the bottom of a ceramic coffee cup or a nail file. CLR is a caustic substance. Do not take apart your knife to clean the insides, as this will probably void the warranty given by most companies. Rust stains on your knives can be a fact of life when you’re too busy to do anything more than quickly rush them through the dishwasher. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. In short, because every 8 year old boy wants to, it must be a good idea. Dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth when you are finished cleaning it. Spread this paste onto the rusted parts of the blade, ensuring that they are covered well. You can also apply oil to the moving parts of a pocket knife to keep them in good order. Best Energy Bars for Emergency Food of 2020, Mountain House 2 Day Emergency Food Supply Kit Review, Must Have Items for Your Emergency Bunker, Emergency Foods You Should Keep in Your Vehicle, Budget Prepping – How to Stock up For Tomorrow When You Can’t Afford To Eat Today. Of course, when you’re done, make sure to wash the blade under running water, wipe it dry, and toss the onion in the compost bin. With a little work, you can restore your favorite pocket knife to its former glory. Buff the blade until it is smooth and shiny. Increase the effectiveness of this natural rust remover by incorporating the abrasiveness of either salt or baking soda. Need a new knife? Here's how to get started: Open the knife and with toothpicks remove lint or gunk stuck in the handle.