First knife sold is BACK!

[Andrew Garrett]

I just got this baby baby from the owner, a friend and co-worker. It was my first sale.

He got three deer this season and skinned 'em all with this knife. It got good marks for performance as it was custom designed for his style. However, it's a mess! The pics do not adequately describe the filth! The blade is gunk covered and I won't describe the animal parts that are wedged down in the sheath!

The knife clean-up, I can handle. The sheath though... Any suggestions?

After all that skinning and rough use, it still has a decent edge!

[rhrocker]

Andrew, you might check on the Sheath forum. Those guys know any and everything about leather and things that can happen to it. Myself, I'd spray some sort of solvent, even WD-40 into the sheath, let it sit a bit, then blow it out with some high pressure air. Probably will take several times, and even an overnight soak. Good luck with it! That's encouraging news about the edge on the knife!

[SKIVIE]

Way to go Andrew ! Thats a nice looking knife. Roberts idea is exactly what I was thinking. Its always exciting to get good reports back on your knife isnt it ?

Shane

[Drac]

1st I'd still ask this in the sheath forum, but if it was sealed inside I think you should be able to wash it out. If it is not sealed, I think that it's toast.

Jim

[Lane Ritter]

I don't know much about sheaths. The same thing happened to my son's knife and sheath. I cleaned it out with soapy water, rinsed real good. Reformed the sheath, while it was wet, and let it dry real good, then I resealed it. I can't see anything wrong with his sheath, just a few miscolored places on the sheath.

My son's punishment, for mistreating his knife, was to clean my shop.

Out in the field, wipe the dang blade off, takes 5 seconds. When you get back to camp, home, convienience store, resteraunt, water hole... wash the blade and dry it good, another 5 to 10 seconds. Then clean and protect when you get home. Don't wait a month after deer season. That's what I told my son anyway.

Lane

[nozh_scrap]

I love that knife man....

why didnt the guy clean it up? Takes all of 5 seconds and some water...

[sheathmaker]

Andrew; NO WD 40, no petrolium products of any kind. Flush the inside of the sheath with warm soapy water. If you can get a slender brush down in there, then use it also. Get it as CLEAN as possible inside. Then air dry it naturally. Might take a few days. If it gets limp during the cleaning then reinsert the knife while it is still wet and reform. Then remove the knife and let dry. After it is thoroughly dry and clean a light coat of PURE neatsfoot oil. I do not seal anything, but then I take care of my stuff. Finally make the owner sit in the corner for 30 minutes to think about what he did. Then make him write 100 times "I will not abuse my equipment again".

Paul

[Jim Charles]

I don’t understand why YOU got it back for cleaning. What do you do offer a life time cleaning service? I’d tell him to do it himself.

[canyonman]

You might be able to get down in it with a small bottle brush, warm water and soap. Brand new equipment and the guy treats it like that why he ought to be : Then when he heals from that I would

Larry

[Andrew Garrett]

Well, the story is that he was up to his elbows in blood and guts and was loosing the light of day. Hmmmmm.....

Anyway, thanks for all the great suggestions. I will do as you say Paul as you are probably the authority here.

As far as my cleaning it up is concerned, I should be clear that he only asked for me to resharpen it before next deer season since he only manages to make blades more dull when he attempts it. He is the kind of guy who uses the hell out of stuff, and abuse is is considered use to him I guess! I scolded him good and told him I would do what I could for the sheath, but made no promises. He was more than happy with that, and doesn't mind an ugly sheath as long as the knife will skin a deer.

Thanks again fellas!

[McAhron]

Never met a hunter that wouldn't take two seconds to wipe down a knife before puting it away.Talk about cross contanimation.

[AUBE]

nice looking knife andrew

and i second the sit him in the corner to think about whats hes done notion :P

[DC KNIVES]

Andrew,I had exactly the same thing happen to one of mine.I sold this guy like 8 knives with display cases.Well he flys off to Wyoming for a hunting trip and I get the knife back just like yours. I cleaned it and resharpened it and sold him two more.Dave

[Jim Charles]

The next time you sell him a knife maybe you could sell him an extended service contract that includes cleaning and sharpening once a year.

[Andrew Garrett]

I like that idea Charles! He just ordered another!