This is fortunately the first time that an ebay deal has gone sour for me, but I guess it had to happen.

I got a somewhat rare Grip off ebay that was advertised as NIB. When it arrived, it had some weird brown marks on the spine of the blade. It looked like some liquid had splashed onto the knife and dried. My fingernail was enough to scratch/chip off most of the substance, but some is still stuck in the small nooks and crannies of the grind pattern. I tried some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel, but that hasn't dissolved the remnants.

My first reaction was that it might be rust, but I'm not sure that rust would chip off so easily, leaving mostly clear, untarnished metal with some remnants in the microgrooves of the grind pattern. I also considered that something just splashed onto the blade, but I'm wondering what it could be if alcohol doesn't take it off.

If I can get the marks off reasonably easily without affecting the metal of the blade, I'd like to keep it. It will be difficult to find another one of these at such a low price, and the knife is otherwise perfect. The seller has been communicative and has readily offered a refund, so if I can't get the marks off I'll definitely send it back.

Do you have any clues what noninvasive measures I could use to get the marks off? Any idea what could have caused them? It seems odd that the sheathed knife would have marks just along the spine, and the rest of the blade would be pristine. Thanks in advance!

Try a metal polish like Fritz. There is (as you note) and exposed grain to the metal on the spine and the stuff might be stuck down in there. Try Fritz (or another metal polish) to see if that helps.

Thanks! Is there a specific product you'd recommend that'd be good for this current knife and for future cleaning/maintenance? Is a tube of their polish paste a good place to start?

http://www.flitz.com/p-16-flitz-polish-paste.aspx

I'd like to continue to use mineral oil for normal protection so I'm really just looking for a basic cleanser. Thanks again!

Try spraying it with Rem Oil.

quote:

Originally posted by kirbysdl:
Thanks! Is there a specific product you'd recommend that'd be good for this current knife and for future cleaning/maintenance? Is a tube of their polish paste a good place to start?

http://www.flitz.com/p-16-flitz-polish-paste.aspx

I'd like to continue to use mineral oil for normal protection so I'm really just looking for a basic cleanser. Thanks again!

Yea, I would start there. Just make sure it is not a BK coated blade.

There's a lot of stuff that is not soluble in alcohol- I'd try both lacquer thinner and mineral spirits- I don't see why either would harm a blade. I use mineral spirits all the time to remove sap residue left on an 01 blade I use for cutting small branches, it removes the guck instantly and leaves no trace (and 01 stains just by looking at it funny). Fingernail polish remover is a substitute for lacquer thinner (as long as it is labelled for removing acetone-based polish).

Thanks for the tips! I'll see what's around the house, and if nothing bears fruit I'll get some Flitz. That said, I might get some anyway for general knife care. =)

There's also some stuff called 'Goo Gone' that takes off labels and their gunk. It's mostly a citrus oil, I think. Stuff works good I know.

I keep a $5 can of never dull by my desk. Seems to wrok on 99% of stains & rust I want to remove. At my current rate of use, I think this can will last to my great, great grandchildren

I like Rem Oil better than the BM blue stuff for lube.

Don't hesitate to take the knife apart and really clean it--you'll get it all back together no problem.

Naptha (lighter fluid.) Naptha is arguably the best oil and residue remover there is. Luthiers (guitar makers/repairmen) use it on fine, vintage instruments without harming old lacquer finishes. It gets into cracks and crevices easily and cleans off quickly with water. Then again, who knows what the substance on your knife is. But it's worth a try if you have any lighter fluid sitting around. Charcoal fluid for barbecues is the same stuff.