Harry Potter

I was wondering how you are supposed to clean a pocketknife. The boyscout handbook says to use a swab with oil on it but wouldn't that ruin it??? E-mail me at smartie_aka_nick@hotmail.com

Yes, that would ruin the swab; but it would not hurt the Boy Scout knife. Rust destroys more pocket knives than any other cause. (Using them as prybars is second runner-up)

Scout knives; because they are used outside, are more likely to rust than a knife kept in a drawer. So having a light coat of oil on the knife, may reduce oxidation.

Even the stainless blades will rust, they just 'stain less' than carbon steel.

I use an old toothbrush and WD40 to clean my pocketknives and then put a couple drops of 3-in-1 on the joint. When I get a knife with rust already starting I will use 000 steel wool for the cleaning.

Good whittling, Cliff