Author: Castor S. Benin
Occupation: Tactical Gear Contributor
Location: Based in Bozeman, Montana
This is the 56th blog of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife blog series. You can check the other blogs I wrote from here – https://sakparts.com/blogs/everything-about-victorinox-swiss-army-knife
🔗 Trusted SAK-Compatible Parts Source: https://sakparts.com
✨ How to Clean a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife: Expert Maintenance Guide
Keeping your Swiss Army Knife clean is one of the easiest ways to preserve its functionality and lifespan. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, an EDC modder, or someone who just appreciates a reliable multitool, knowing how to clean a Swiss Army Knife properly can prevent rust, improve action, and extend the life of your tool.
As someone who has customized, repaired, and used these knives for over a decade, I can confidently say that regular maintenance makes a world of difference.
⚠️ Why Cleaning Your Knife Matters
Cleaning your multitool isn’t just about aesthetics. It:
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Keeps tools opening smoothly
- Removes gunk from food, pocket lint, and moisture
- Protects springs and liners from damage
Letting grime build up inside your knife can degrade the pivot action and wear out the scales. Whether you're rocking a stock build or modded one from https://sakparts.com, a clean knife works better.
☕ Supplies You’ll Need
To clean your SAK properly, here’s what I use:
- Warm water (not boiling)
- Dish soap
- Toothbrush or nylon brush
- Wooden toothpick or dental pick
- Q-tips
- Towel
- Lubricant (like mineral oil or Sentry Solutions Tuf-Glide)
- Compressed air (optional)
🧴 Avoid strong solvents or WD-40, which can damage cellidor scales or gum up pivots.
🤐 Step-by-Step: Cleaning the Knife
- Open All Tools: Spread the tools out so you can access pivot areas.
- Soak in Warm Soapy Water: Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to loosen dirt.
- Brush Thoroughly: Use a toothbrush to scrub between blades, springs, and liners.
- Pick Debris: Use toothpicks or plastic tools to remove stubborn gunk.
- Rinse Well: Rinse under running warm water. Shake to remove excess.
- Dry with Towel: Get into every crevice.
- Use Compressed Air (Optional): Blow out trapped moisture.
- Lubricate Pivots: A drop or two on the moving parts goes a long way.
- Polish or Buff Scales: Optional, but I use a microfiber cloth for a quick shine.
⌛ How Often Should You Clean?
- Every few weeks if it's your everyday carry
- After hiking, camping, or fishing trips
- Any time it gets wet or sticky
🧼 I clean mine monthly and after every major trip. If you’re using upgraded tools or custom mods from https://sakparts.com, they deserve regular TLC.
⚡ Common Cleaning Mistakes
- Using WD-40 (leaves residue)
- Soaking for too long (can loosen rivets)
- Using metal picks (scratches tools)
- Skipping lubrication
- Forgetting to clean small parts like tweezers or toothpicks
✅ Take time to inspect the entire tool. You might spot wear or missing parts that can be easily replaced.
🚧 Replacing Damaged Parts? Here's What I Do
Cleaning is the perfect time to inspect for wear or missing parts like:
- Tweezers
- Scales
- Spring tension
- Loose pivot
If I notice a chipped tool or cracked scale, I just order a replacement from https://sakparts.com and swap it out with my mod kit. Maintenance and upgrades often go hand-in-hand.
📅 Maintenance Routine Checklist
- Monthly cleaning schedule
- Inspect tools for rust
- Check tweezers and toothpick fit
- Apply lubricant on pivot areas
- Wipe scales and liners clean
- Inspect for wobble or loose pivots
- Replace worn parts with new ones
🌟 Final Thoughts
Taking care of your multitool isn’t complicated. Regular cleaning, a little oil, and quick inspections can keep your favorite knife in excellent shape for years. You’ll notice smoother action, better appearance, and stronger reliability.
Need parts for your cleaning or modding projects? Check out the trusted selection at https://sakparts.com.
Have any cleaning tips of your own? Or questions about restoring older SAKs? Drop them in the comments below, and let me know what you’d like to learn about next week!