Clean sand out of a knife

Q. How do you get sand out of your knife’s insides?
— Sandy Adam, Amherst, N.Y.

A. Hey Adam. Sand is definitely a big problem when it comes to folding pocketknives. And it doesn’t really take much sand to foul up the folding and locking mechanism.

Try to blow the grit out of the knife using an air compressor (some dads have these in their workshops). If you don’t have access to an air compressor, you can buy a can of compressed air that’s typically used for cleaning computers and other electronics. You can find it at most office supply stores and electronics shops for about $7-$10. Just aim the air into all the nooks and crannies of your knife and try to blast the sand out.

Once you’ve got most of it out, lubricate your knife (and especially the folding mechanism) with a basic 3-in-1 oil. Do that and your knife should be sand-free and ready for business.