Recent Comments

How to clean a sticky knife

orange-with-pocketknife

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.”


Ask the Gear Guy

Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment? Click here to send in your questions for the Gear Guy. Selected questions will be answered here and in the printed magazine.

24 Comments on How to clean a sticky knife

  1. Survival ben // May 30, 2018 at 2:19 am // Reply

    Straight after cutting something wipe with damp cloth no need for soap

  2. Do what the guy from Gerber suggests.

  3. I’m awesome 😋😋

  4. Use canola oil, brings the grime right off

  5. 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).

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. try toothpaste and water

  9. It’s called soap & water. Give it a try.

  10. 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.

  11. definetely dont lick it, i tried that after cutting oranges and it cut my lip which bled for about 2 hours

  12. to get grime of my pocket knife I put lemon juice on an old toothbrush and scrubed.

  13. 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!

  14. 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!!!!!!!!!

  15. just wipe it with a towl

  16. try using rubbing alchol it should knock it right out

  17. so coool i will try that ting man so coool

  18. great idea i used to have the same problem

  19. aaaaaaaaverdr // November 1, 2009 at 7:42 am // Reply

    cool I will try it

  20. i really want a pocketknife

  21. Q-tips also work for cleaning knifes, but make it wet to clean sticky stuff off.

Leave a Comment

Please don't use your real name.