Best way to get plant sap off knife?

[Skyman]

I convexed my throwing knife yesterday(was a v grind).Went out with a friend and tried to stick it in a tree today.Needless to say, i could stick it only twice in about a dozen throws.When i got home, the plant sap had dried into a muck.I got it off with ethly alcohol.Is there any better way?

The knife was chipped.Got the mouse pad and sandpaper out and started sharpening it.Grits - 80,100,320,600,1000,2000,2500.

Got to 320 when my mom barged in and positively fainted at the sight of the knife.She accused me of aspiring to be a dacoit and underworld don because i had a knife.She insisted no one should have a weapon, and because i had a knife i would fight with the family etc.This outburst left me quite amused.If i get a firearm, i might be driven out of the house .

Cheers if your love for blades if tolerated

[Safarigent]

You really need to sit your folks down and have a chat about knives and what have you!

[Skyman]

HAha......are you serious? A talk?

[Kumarnishith]

After cleaning your blade after a day's work, allow it to dry and then wipe it with 1-2 drop of gun oil before placing it back in it's sheath etc. The ultra thin layer of gun oil will prevent the rusting of blade. Not to mention smell of gun oil etc is intoxicating


-Nishith

[snIPer]

an easy way would be to burn it off on a light flame. or you can use the back of a hacksaw blade and scrape it off.
/S

[dr.jayakumar]

you may use acetone to clean the knife.just tell your mom its a ''kithcen knife''
regards
dr.jk

[Skyman]

What about soot deposit and paint peeling? Will have to procure gun oil.Any suggestions on a particular brand? From what i remember, both alcohols and ketones dissolve plant matter.So acetone should work.

[brihacharan]

An easy way would be to burn it off on a light flame. or you can use the back of a hacksaw blade and scrape it off.
/S

An easy way would be to burn it off on a light flame

> No - Not advisable because wood sap has chemicals called "Terpenes" which when burned react with metal & cause stains.
> Best use de-natured spirit or acetone - wipe off & apply a thin coat of any machine oil.
Briha

[slingshot]

The Sap usually in contact with the edge.

No matter how careful you are when removing the sap, you will lose some of the sharpness of your edge. So, the first piece of advice, do not use knives on wood that is not dry, unless you are using a machete to hack through a jungle...and thats really a rare occurrence. And I also read that you are practising throwing knives on a live tree...I am assuming that you are taking all safety precautions so that there are no accidents...in case you miss the target. I would much prefer that you create a target with a solid backstop that allows you to practice effectively.

Also, clean your knife, immediately after use. Sap and other gunk can be removed much easier if you tackle it as soon as it gets on the blade.

Cleaning the sap off is not easy even with acetone or ethyl alcohol. Usually stubborn residue remains. I have found that a gentle way of cleaning is to use any flouride toothpaste with a wine bottle cork or toothbrush. Apply the toothpaste on the end of the cork and gently scrub the area that has the sap in circular motions. The sap should clean off in some time.

[Skyman]

Correct, i observed it today and saw some residue left.Flouride toothpaste is a novel idea.I suppose i should carry a cleaning cloth next time i go practice.Don't worry, it was done at a remote location.

[Mark]

Most any solvent works fine on sap, given time as some work faster than others. Around here the sap from pine trees is the most tenuous but it pretty much wipes off with paint thinner, kerosene, gasoline, etc. However you can wrap it in an oily rag with motor oil (and I suspect even plain vegetable oil) overnight and it will simply wipe clean the next day.

Some plants here have a sap that dries a hard whitish color, but that type of sap will pretty much wash off with hot water and soap.

[Skyman]

I suppose i can use a brush and soap water then?