Felix, I admire and respect you. You are education, joyful, positive, and still young at heart. You are a inspiration, and you exude hope. Beyond that, I consider you a knife guru of every kind. You are so willing to experiment and play with knives, you have made me feel great about doing so with all of mine. This includes my Leatherman, Mora and my Schrade Frontier knives. Your willingness to just "play" with knives allows me to enjoy mine more even if it's not a Victorinox. You really do enjoy your work it seems, and it inspires me to be willing to enjoy playing with my knives fearlessly as well. Thank you for your work!

After years of putting SAKs' in a wide mouth plastic bottle with liquid dish soap and warm water, I've never had any problems. Blades and tools are left open and the occasional shaking after adding isopropyl alcohol . Thanks for your video Felix . Great to see you again.

I love new videos from the number one Swiss Army Knife Guru...😊

Your method is fine. I relate my experience. Retired. Over the years I received hundreds of used knives and restored them. Nearly all were "dirty". SAK units were different. Did not have to worry about gung under the scales or rust in nearly all instances. 1. soak in soapy water and wash clean. 2. soak in white vinegar. You could use alcohol, but it is more expensive. Wipe clean. Then lubricate with your favorite - 3-in-1 oil, silicone spray, even olive oil.

Hallo Felix und Danke für deine Reinigungstipps! 👍👍👍 Meine Victorinox-Messer sind Gebrauchsmesser und das älteste habe ich bereits seit fast 50 Jahren! Meist wird und wurde es beim Fischen eingesetzt. Wenn es zu sehr verschmutzt ist, wird es mit warmen Wasser, etwas Seife und einer weichen Bürste gereinigt. Bei hartnäckigen Flecken, etwa Baumharz, kommt manchmal auch Industriereiniger zum Einsatz. Anschließend wird natürlich geölt und nach Bedarf nachgeschärft. Nur polieren tue ich dieses Messer nicht, denn jeder Kratzer, jede Scheuerstelle, jede kleine Beschädigung ist für mich Charakter und Erinnerungen welche eine Geschichte erzählen! Eine Geschichte die Teil des Messers ist, aber auch Teil meines Lebens! Liebe Grüße aus Oberösterreich in die schöne Schweiz!

The blood blister on your thumb is so relatable. You definitely work with your hands a lot and those things happen sometimes. You're the best , never stop !

Thanks Felix for getting me to fall in love with SAKs you are a true inspiration and the SAK GOD watching from Sweden

Hi, I am new to your channel. I have been watching a lot of your videos. I must say you are amazing. You always have a bright smile that’s very cheering. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.❤❤. From Washington state thank you so much.

Nice to see your techniques and read of others in the comments. My Swiss Champ has been daily carried in a belt pouch, but never used in such dirty conditions and never cleaned. Still works fine. Maybe one day I'll give it a spruce up.

I was just cleaning an old sak a few days ago. This is the video I needed. Thanks

You really have a great show! Full of good information and techniques a person can actually use. Thanks so much!!

The rule of thumb with sticky stuff like resin is: greasy stuff removes sticky stuff. You can use kitchen oils too, even butter if you want. Not just for hard materials, works on hands too. Peronally i am not a fan of WD40 (wd stands for water dispersion if i remember correct) because it can become sticky stuff itself over time. I prefer to use Ballistol instead. (when i have to remove sticky stuff i use Ballistol, it could also be used to lubricate the folding mechanisms. And the polish: i would recommend it before the ultrasonic cleaner, because you might get polish paste into cracks and inbetween stuff of the knife, and you will get rid of that again in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Dear Felix, I also did use the ultraxonic-bath, but did ad a special conditioner at something like 40°C that did soften the water and did bring the US-cleaning to a better result. I did even dry them up into normal laboratory oven at 20°C. After that I also used compressed air to remove humidity. I did not use WD40 - I did use some oil you normally use a the drill press and came to good results. I must say that I like your idea how to bring the handles and the blade back to a perfect look. Best regards from Germany René

wd40 may contain turpentine - even if small amounts. It might rust your blades if you don't wipe it off properly. You are awesome, Felix! :D

Beautiful video. Thank you for saving my knife from the dishwasher. I would also recommend ultrasonic cleaning after polishing. This also removes the polishing paste.

Thank you for the demonstration and for sacrificing your knives.

Always like your videos. My husband prefers to use Ballistol because it cleans and lubricates at the same time. He pours ballistol and water in the ultrasound cleaner and uses tooth brush . Afterwards he uses WD40 because it repels water than uses my hair blower to dry the knife because it will also blow out any micro dust particles left. Thank you for sharing your information.

I enjoy your channel and books 📕! Thanks 🙏🏼 so much Felix!

Felix, thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

That is a really great metal polish, I got some to fix a problem at work and made a mirror finish in seconds flat. I will definitely get some for stropping...

Great to show us a comparison between different methods. I do my cleaning quite similar, but firstly I use an additional painters brush #2 (pig's bristle) to get in the small gaps better than with the toothbrush. Secondly I open the tools only halfway - this way part of the springs get exposed and more dirt can be removed. Thirdly I use LiquiMoly-LM40 spray, it's superior to WD-40 in any aspect. I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner, but with repeatedly opening and closing the tools during the wiping I get pretty satisfying results.

Really enjoyed the video. I learned some good tips for keeping my SAKs in top shape. I like the tip of sanding down the toothbrush to get at those hard to reach spots. I don't get my SAK tools that dirty, at least not up to now. I carry one of my SAK tools everyday, it goes where I go. My favorite tool that I use the most. Is the Scissors. Thanks so much for all your instruction, I always learn new things from you.

Greetings Felix. Excellent video. it's amazing how gummed up pocket knives can get. Great info as always, thanks.

Excellent work as always my friend!

Felix, great video, as usual, thank you. I wish I had seen this 15years ago! I found what I think was a brand new ‘Fisherman’ SAK, and because it was in the soil and I didn’t know how it had been used, I put it into a saucepan and boiled it!! One scale came off, the other is very distorted. I still use that knife in my garage but if I had only realised that heat would kill the scales I’d have done it differently. I have several SAKs including one from a Swiss friend with my name and radio call-sign engraved on it, and I love them all, they all get used (I’ve lost a few small ones too, mainly while fly-fishing - I miss those super-handy little tools), but would love to bring that found knife back to as-new condition. Keep up your great Videos, they are always interesting and relevant. Les in UK

Thank you for your tips. I'm already using some. I prefer using Balistol or Brunox as oils. But best results I get with silicon aerosol oils for airsoft

Thanks Felix. I have a Swiss Champ, Trekker and a Recruit. This is helpful.

Great video! I've found that pipe cleaners are awesome for getting into many of the smaller grooves, especially on 58mm models. The brush (or Q-Tip) is great for the larger areas, but the pipe cleaner seems to be able to get into areas that the others can't. (Also for cleaning the toothpick/tweezer grooves too)

Nice overview of your cleaning processes!

Great video and research Felix. Cheers from Florida!

WD-40 may work for cleaning, but my choice for lubrication is either SFR or Jaymor's 191S which is food safe. WD-40 is notorious for drying into a gum and has caused many failures in firearms as a result. Both SFR and Jaymor's have the highest lubricity and the Jaymor's is used to lubricate switchplates on railroad tracks, which are a critical safety application. I use the SFR as an engine oil additive as well.

You have inspired me Felix, it’s a SAK cleaning day tomorrow for me, thanks

I will sleep better tonight knowing that those knives have been given proper love & attention. My Grandpa taught me well;... Thank you, Felix.

Awesome! Kinda a boring topic but it has to be done now and then! Thanks for your test and work!

Hi Felix, das war genau das richtige Video zur richtigen Zeit. Ich besuche häufiger Flohmärkte und dort gibt es machmal diese Messer zu einem recht günstigen Preis zu schießen. Leider machmal auch in einem ziemlich verranzten Zustand. Daher hab ich bisher immer davor zurückgeschreckt zuzuschlagen. Nach Deinem sehr gut aufgebauten Video werde ich das aber nun mal angehen. Ich habe zwar kein Ultraschall-Reinigungsgerät, aber ich glaube, eine alte Munddusche würde die tief sitzenden Schmutzpartikel ebenfall entfernen können. Gute Zeit Dir!

Thanks for another great video Felix. Methods 1, 2 and 4 I can do. Personally, I don't have access to an ultrasonic cleaner - I don't suppose that many SAK owners do. I'm not at all surprised that a dishwasher damages SAK scales. I would never do that. You can use hand sanitiser (70% alcohol) to remove sticky stuff, such as the adhesive from parcel tape, from blades and scissors.

You can call me a savage, but I think most of the scratches and scuffs are a sign of a well used and loved tool. I used the tooth brush and sonic cleaner to great success with an old knife that I couldn’t open with my finger nails.

Thanks for the cleaning pointers.👍

Thank you Felix. Another very useful video.

Awesome video, Felix! Have a great weekend!

Hello Felix, the results are excellent. You are the man 💯👍🏻⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲

Great video. I sent a link to my youngest son. He needs to learn this. Thanks.

For larger knives like the Swiss Champ I prefer Q-tips (cotton buds), flattened with the pliers to clean the inside of the knife. I consider this as more effective method than using a tooth brush. Otherwise, thank you Felix for the well-explained videos 👍

Very informative - Thanks, Felix! 🙂

Hello Felix ! Nice to see you again. Thaks for this useful video. As you point out, when polishing any knife, beware to apply the cutting edge of the blade on the table : it's easy to cut our finger !

You are a real SAK magician! I use SAK since 1971 but never knew WD40 would not hurt cellidor. Never knew you could use ultrasonic bath without hurting cellidor. And never knew a metal polish could be used on cellidor. So far I am using Xerapol acrylic polish paste and only used ultrasonic for the SAK without the scales. Thank you for all of your education. And a question please: what did you pour into the water inside the ultrasonic cleaner?

Thank you Felix for showing the good and the bad. Now we know what not to do as well as what works. Now take some time off and replay some of your very early videos, your family will thank you. God bless.

Good old WD-40 has been the Boss of metal Cleaning, and Lubricating metal joints for decades! Thanks for sharing this Fact and Details Herr Immler. 👍👍 5👑🤠

My knife is over 40 years old. Gets used around the house, in the bush, to fix land rovers, to help building a camper and now a boat. It's been heavily used and abused. Petrol, diesel, oil, WD40 and of course sweaty hands. Cleaning has been minimal. Mostly rag and lube with WD40. I prefer the look of dull scales. Still works really well, but needs a new blade cos I broke it with abuse. Biggest cleaning problem is getting glue off from opening taped up parcels, or cutting gaffer/duct tape. I'd be interested in your take on this. But thanks. I might just try the ultrasonic. Another topic you might consider is how to get a buried knife working again. I found one in the gravel of a Weiher, where someone lost it years ago. The aluminium separators were very corroded, and that, with sand ground into it was quite a challenge. Keep up the good work!

Hi, dies Video wurde mir vorgeschlagen, bin so seit 4 Jahren auf dem Hobbymesserbautripp...freue mich einen Fachmann gefunden zu haben.! Bin mit Hund täglich im Feld oder Wald...bisher waren meine Messer net so beansprucht😅 Toll die Tipps der Reinigung, schaue in Zukunft öfters rein LG Udo

Wie immer, ein schönes und interessantes Video. Vielen Dank.

Hi Felix! Good practical information. Danke!

I have arrived at similar places. I usually run under the hot tap. If my hand can stand it, it is just enough heat to safely remove the scales with no damage. I, too, use a toothbrush and a ½ cut down toothbrush with just plain soapy water, I dry thoroughly then apply Ballistol and work any stiffness, if it is bad I go back to the soapy water if not I wipe any excess oil and turn my attention to returning the scales to the knife and then if they have scratches I use 1000-1500 grit on the scales then buff with the residual tormek or autosol paste on a strop. This process makes scales look nearly new. Sometimes, there are scratches on the toolset, so I use the same method as the scales on the tools.

Great video! I have learned (unfortunately) that brake cleaner, and acetone will melt the handle scales. I read that DEET will melt them, too. I use Windex or Simple Green to deep clean, and perhaps an ultrasonic cleaner is in my future😃 With respect to the polishing, Flitz, Brasso, and Plastx all work very well, and the Plastx is the finer/less abrasive of the three. I've restored some acrylic watch crystals with them as well....

Hallo Felix, danke für deine Reinigungstipps! So mache ich das auch, im Ultraschallreiniger verwende ich dest. Wasser mit einem Schuss Spülmittel. LG Micha

Hallo Felix. Great video, as always. My only advice would be to use the electronic cleaner after the polishing paste, that way it will remove any residue of WD-40 and also paste. Other than that, great results.

I own the ranger grip 78 and 57, I have future plans on purchasing more Swiss Army knives!!!❤❤

ممنون آقای فلیکس من از ایران ویدئوهاتو دنبال میکنم ، راستی چند تا از بهترینهای ویکتورینوکس را خریدم خیلی کارآمد هستند ❤❤❤

Show us how to remove the scales without damaging them and should this be done on a limited basis or can it be done with regularity. Always great videos and info. Thanks and keep tthem coming Posted this before the end, I see there is a video on scale removal, will not be doing that. Thanks for your great information

good video! please another talking about sharping the blade!

I usually soak my sak in a container with one of the detergent pods.They are very conventrated and do a good job getting all the grime out I then use WD40.Thanks for the intersting tips.May try them soon.

Thanks Felix, your tutorials are excellent and very helpful. Can I recommend lanyard tutorials? My SAKs need them xd

Thanks for the knife cleaning/sharpening videos. Felix can you do a video on how to take apart the Suunto MC2 Global compass and remove a sizeable bubble. I know of no one who has done this on a high end compass. Thanks

Great job! Thanks!

I hate dirty pocket knives. This was another great video. I have been using the brush and warm soapy water and WD-40 for years. Maybe this would be good excuse to get an ultrasonic cleaner. 😄

Great information. Thank you.

great info and instruction

Danke Felix, sehr interessantes Video.

Felix Immler, I really enjoyed this video, so I hit the like button!

Muy buenas amigo mío me a parecido un vídeo muy interesante 👌 para mí no me a quedado ninguna duda del método mejor según la ocasión 😉 saludos 🇪🇦

Nice informative video. I have to admit, the dishwasher is one thing that never occurred to me for cleaning any tool. WD40 I use on just about everything grimy. Even great for cleaning up super glues. Vandals had put super glue into 2 pad locks I had on doors for an out building. It took me about 1 1/2 hours but with several applications each, it dissolved the hardened glue enough that with a pick, I could get enough of the junk out to get the key in. With WD40, Duct Tape and my Swiss Champ I can solve any problem. 😉

Olive oil (and most other vegetable oils) will remove sticky things like resin as well, Felix, and those oils are natural and don't gum up the way WD-40 can. Just thought I'd mention it.

Wieder was für den Werkzeuģkasten,immer gut und interessant!

Hoi Felix, again a very interesting and useful video, great! I would never put a good knive into the dishwasher, no matter which one. Not only that the heat and water disforms plastic and wooden handles, also is the heat absolute "Poison" for the hardness of the steel. And the "screaming" of your knife is not because it's so dry, it comes from the regeneration-salt of the dishwasher, which is now scraping in the mechanism. Because i am wearing spectacles, the ultrasonic-device is also a good solution for removing the "denim-sweat" 😊 (The dust of the jeans-pockets) To get a higher cleaning-power, you can add "Spüli" or a special cleaning fluid, but ultrasonic can't do "miracles". WD40 or Ballistol is very good for removing resin, but also butter is a good stoff for this. And one another tip for polishing the scales is one special toothpaste. Most times the particles in toothpaste in combination with the tensides are too rough, but with "Ajona" i got quite good results. For Polishing blades and/or tools i take a cotton-wheel in my electric handdrill and put some polish (white and blue) on it. Works pretty fine but of course also not "perfect". But also "Autosol" is allways a fine helper at polishing-tasks. Thanks for showing your methods, that sure will be a great help for knive-maintaining, 👍I wish you a very fine weekend! LG

GReat video - Thanks Felix!!!

thanks I've wondered about the dishwasher

cool beans on the options for cleaning

i use the old toothbrush and toothpaste, then wash it firmy and flood with olive oil and move the blades few times and wipe out most of the oil. I treat this way watches and other stuff too, it shines afterwards and is food safe.

Warm water and old toothbrush works just fine for mine SAK ''Climber''. Sometimes I ad little WD40 to the joints and that is it. Love your channel btw!

Thank you Felix 🙏👌😊

New subs here. I finally got classic sd after watching some very interesting video from this channel. Im planning to use classic sd as a necklace, assuming that i will use it at all times, including when i go to the beach, shower, or even workout. Will it damage my victorinox if it comes in contact with water, soap, sweat almost everyday? I've heard victorinox has extremely good corrosion resistance

G'day Felix, "especially" good vid mate, well explained and shown with the various test cases. The only blades that go into my dishwasher are one piece butter knives and dip spreaders ; ) Personally, I skip step 1 and 3 because ... I find WD-40 as a degreaser, caters for those aspects too and it hasn't had any adverse effect on my Ranger 78 insert material either, .... whatever composition that is ; ). Nice toothbrush mod btw. Incidently, there are, (I think, bronze), bristled fine welding versions available for a bit more grunt, metal to metal without scratching. Also, it pays to remove the toothpick and tweezers for cleaning IMO. What I do last, is Step 1, (dishwashing soap and water), then rinse with pure water, followed by a final compressed air blow out; A. to help remove any residual WD-40, metal paste and filings for potential food prep tasks and B. as well as to avoid contaminating living plants when taking cuttings, doing grafting, and the like. Oh yeah, and work in only a drop of light machine oil on the pivot points is enough lube after all that lot without getting it everywhere. Cheers Duke. P.S. I do own a Victorinox belt clip, so handy and well designed, and no weight or discomfort sitting horizontally, in the bottom of a groin pocket ..... I'm sure you know what I mean ; ) and a pouch to suit my Ranger 78, (for "buttocks" carry), not bad, but next time you speak with them, please suggest a proper stitched and/or riveted belt loop, rather than simple pass through slits ....... It'd be worth a couple of extra bucks I reckon.

I use "Silvo" silver polish for the metal, and after cleaning the knife up with WD40, I then use Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer (Yeah - I know - it's designed for cars). The shine comes up like new. Also - learn from my (stupid) mistake! Never use a Dremel polisher on the plastic. It can easily melt the plastic because of the heat from the friction. Fortunately I did that on an old knife so it wasn't too expensive 😁

New scales cost 2,50. In some cases it doesnt pay to invest the time to polish.

Hello Felix, thank You for another great video! I have another question for You; I have a couple of Swiss Army Knives with wooden scales, do You have tips for cleaning them without damaging the scales? Thank You for reading this message 😊.

was looking forward to this. i found my 1st knife of 35 years. all the tools are a bit stuck. no access to ultrasonic bath though.

Феликс как всегда превосходен! Хочешь позитива - смотри новое видео от Феликса 🙂

I do a prewash in the sink with warm water and dish soap then 10-15 minutes in the sonic cleaner with the heating element turned on. After that I spray them heavily with WD-40 to displace the water then hit them with the air compressor. Let dry for 30-60 minutes then lube with some KPL or Nano-oil.

Uktra Sonic cleaners are great for glasses! You wouldn't believe the dirt that comes off of your glasses that you wear and clean everyday! Also great for jewellery and similar things.

Felix would you consider making a video on some wood joinery with just a sak, like making a box for example? thanks

Super, Felix! WD40 hatte ich noch nie an Harzflecken probiert, ich bin da immer mit Terpentin drangegangen... Macht halt die Griffschalen sehr stumpf, das lässt sich aber wieder aufpolieren. So macht's viel weniger Arbeit, werde ich nächstes Mal ausprobieren. 👍

I wonder if you could clamp the knife in a vise (or just some clamps sandwiched between some wood) and steam clean it with the tools open. Maybe you could still deform the scales if you concentrate the steam in one area too long, but I figure clamping should help keep the scales cooler and prevent warping. Might even work to bend your warped scales from the dishwasher back into shape if you warmed them up first. Ultrasonic cleaner is best though - that's what I use too. You can get a slight haze on the plastic scale that faces down though, since the knife can vibrate against the tray a tiny bit and create micro scratches (at least that happens with mine sometimes).

If u put 1 or 2 drop of dishwashing liquid into the water in ultra sonic cleaner it will give an even better result. Thank you for tips. Wd40 is effective and better using a brush of soft cloth to wipe hard the knife

It was mentioned about using solvents to clean the grime off.. I once used brake cleaning solvent, not thinking. Literally melted my scales. 😮

I love the smell of WD-40 but it feels weird that I've never allowed my Swiss Army Tinkerer or Camper to get dirty enough to require any of these steps. When I'm out in the woods i'll beat a $200 Esee knife and baby a $20 Swiss Army Camper I got in 1987.

That was excellent sir! I will add in the wd-40 and ultrasonic cleaner steps! think that was very scientific actually. It was the most useful science to mankind there is....practical science. Real life application! I wish more science was as good for humans 😁 Question: What cleaning solution did you use in the ultrasonic cleaner?

Great post! After getting my Sak wet, should the scales be removed every time my Sak gets wet, once in a while, or only when necessary? I purchased a Sak handheld sharpener, the auto-sharpen kind that a few stokes and both sides are sharpened. My hands are paralyzed due to injury and 'teaching' my wife, daughter, and grandsons; they're not ready to use a stone and I can't sharpen this small knife. Three old Puma hunting knives, those I can sharpen on my own, carefully.

Wie immer: toller Inhalt und verständlich erklärt! So kann jede_r seine Messer sauber halten und hat Spass damit!

Thanks for the tipps. I love Autosol Metapolish. I use it to polish my vics since more than 20 years.

THANK YOU🌲🙏🌲