Knife Maintenance - Flushing The Pivot Of A Slip Joint Knife

Often times, your new slip joint knife will arrive with production grit in the pivot of your knife. This is not uncommon in the lesser expensive brands but the big boys arent immune to it. This grit will cause the knife's action to feel sluggish and you can often hear and feel some scraping/roughness when opening and closing the blade.
I'll show you a method of flushing the pivot that I find to be fairly easy to accomplish.
Become a member of Big Red's Brigade by clicking the join button below the video or by using this link: / @bigrededc
BigRedEDC Shirts & more: bigrededc.crea...
Smoky Mountain Knife Works Affiliate Link: www.pjtra.com/...
Check out the great products from Andar at: andar.com/?mct...
Use code BIGRED and save 15% off your order!
Use the code BigRedEDC20 to save 20% when ordering at Brighten Blades: brightenblades...
Everyman Affiliate Link: www.pjtra.com/...
Use Promo Code EM20 and take 20% OFF Sitewide at Everyman.co
Use this link and save 10% at TITAN Survival: titansurvival....
Use the code BIGRED on southernedgekn... to save 15% off your order and get $5 flat rate shipping on US orders and flat rare shipping for international customers.
Using the provided affiliate links helps support the channel and gives me the ability to put more knives back in your hands!! Thanks for the support!
Follow me on Facebook: / bigrededc
Follow me on Instgram: / bigrededc
Email: [e-mail]
PayPal: www.paypal.me/...
Check out these other great channels:
Zach’s Stuff: / @zachstuff
Dual Sport Survival: / @dualsportoutdoors
A Theraputic Edge: / @atherapeuticedge
Women Carry Knives: / @wckwomencarryknives
Grateful Panic Knife Reviews: / @gratefulpanick
Geared Toward Gear: / @gearedtowardgear1
Goes to 11: / @goesto11
Paddy's Potato Peelers: / @paddyspotatopeelers2154
BlueCollarSurvival: / @bluecollarsurvival
The Knife Beater: / @theknifebeater
Slick Slicers: / eholford
OCD-4-EDC: / @ocd4edc
HILLtop knives and gear: / @hilltopknivesandgear8103
Big Bore Knife and Gear: / @bigboreknifegear8349
Ohio Blade and Cutlery: / @ohiobladeandcutlery
Neeves Knives: / @neevesknives
Carlos EDC: / @monkeyfaceii
Hawaii Knife and Gear: / @hawaiiknifeandgear5531
Triple E EDC: / @tripleeedc
MonDak Living: / @mondakliving
Mild Mannered EDC: www.youtube.co...
Knife Chats with Tobias: / @knifechatswithtobias
KnivesFAST: / @knivesfast
#knifemaintenance #knifecommunity #bigrededc

[@kwilin19]

Thanks for the tips JB! Wow using canned air really speeds up the process and seems way more thorough. Don’t know why I didn’t think of that but thanks to you it will be added to the repertoire. 🙏

[@BigRedEDC]

Awesome....glad to help!!!

[@jeroenvoss6231]

Thank you JB for giving attention to maintaining traditional knives!

[@BigRedEDC]

For sure my friend! Thanks for watching

[@rorycalhoun8011]

Wowzerssss… Tks for the tutelage on this technique… I have just a slipjoint tomorrow that I’m going to do this on and a can of air that is chomping at the bit to blow the garbage out of it!!

[@BigRedEDC]

LOL...right on Rory!! Glad I show you a new trick!!!

[@skcamerican]

Good to see how you do that! Using the canned air is pretty dramatic. I just oil and wipe, oil and wipe. Not nearly as exciting. Gotta buy me some air! Thanks, JB!

[@cctvspystore]

Same here, just douse it with KPL Original, walk & talk the blade & wipe but have thought about the canned air that BR just showed, definitely gonna try what BR did next time👍

[@BigRedEDC]

Yeah....the air just speeds up the process a bit! Definitely not a must but it is fun....lol!!

[@itsawonderfulknife7031]

When in a bind, a thin to medium straw can blow out a lot of gunk in there in quick bursts. Not as good as canned air, but it does work. 👍🏻

[@twangthang68]

I've watched this video a few times now. It's great having these videos to refer back to when we do maintenance on our knives. Thanks for sharing JB!

[@BigRedEDC]

Glad to help where I can!!

[@LarryReynolds591]

Just bought 4 Rough Riders for gifts. First time buying them. The pivots are all really gritty on them. Guess I'll try this. Thanks!

[@BigRedEDC]

Works pretty well.

[@rorycalhoun8011]

Buddy brought me too older knives from a estate sale. I had to rewatch this video to figure out again, how to flush out a slip joint… Kudos!!!

[@BigRedEDC]

Very cool Rory! Hope it helps!!

[@richardkut3976]

Air is quick and easy, thanks.

[@BigRedEDC]

It sure is!

[@stevenlachance8576]

I’ve started cleaning with a water pick and hot water, my knives have no cavities, the hot water promotes rapid drying. Next step is WD-40 as a flush then I start oiling. Adding air is a great idea.

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks for sharing your technique Steven

[@paul_schuette]

Great video idea! I actually hadn’t ever thought of using compressed air to help push the gunk out. That’s a really good tip. I’ve always just soaked the pivot in a ton of oil, worked the blades, wiped off the gunk, and then repeated until things seemed pretty clean the smooth. I just did one tonight and using the compressed air technique, and it seemed to be quicker.

[@BigRedEDC]

Yeah...helps speed up the process a little! Thanks for checking out my technique Paul!

[@sobxscooter8157]

I'm going to do the air trick for sure. I use the Jersey Knife Guy's way and it amazes me how well the knife works afterwards. Thanks for the lesson 🙏

[@BigRedEDC]

Air can help speed up the process a bit! Thanks brother!

[@snuzznuzz]

I dig it BigRed! I do something similar only I use camilla oil for flushing and blow it out with a straw. Thanks for showing your technique!

[@BigRedEDC]

Right on Snuzz! That sounds like it works!!

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I use Remington Oil, but I will add canned air. The walk and talk on a traditional is calming to me. I also clean the springs.

[@BigRedEDC]

Flushing with a less expensive oil makes sense and normally what I do! Thanks Rusty!!

[@ocultimastacking6654]

I clean all my Case and GEC Traditional knives with my KPL Edci Formula and Blue Lube

[@BigRedEDC]

Very good Amos!

[@ocultimastacking6654]

@@BigRedEDC thank you JB

[@ck158]

Thanks for demonstrating how to do that. Very informative. Can you do that with other style knives? Thanks 😊

[@BigRedEDC]

Sure you can CK!! Thanks for checking out my method!!

[@orange010]

I use a container of Petroleum and wash the whole knife in it. Petroleum dilutes and dissolves old oil and dirt and after that I use lots of oil and I have done so for over 30 years with perfect results. Thanks for the video

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks for watching!!

[@mattharvey968]

Appreciate a video like this, learned a good technique to clean my slip joint knives! Ty JB!!

[@BigRedEDC]

Hope it helps! Thanks Matt!!!

[@toddcarr.]

Definatly a great way to do it, I use alcohol at first to get the crap out then I hit it with the oil to get any residual out but your way is great to. I've even used regular 3in1 oil before kpl came out. Also stuff like WD40 works also but it can be a pain with getting the smell out. Mineral oil is one I highly recommend for this process as well as there is no scent to it and does a great job and super cheap but I still use KPL now afterwards for the better protection properties. Thanks for a great vid JB and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable.

[@BigRedEDC]

Have used 3in1 as well Todd. Any lighter weight oil will work well. Agree about the smell of WD40 or I would use it more! Thanks for sharing your process!!!

[@kokopelau6954]

How do you feel about using high-quality food grade oil to flush slip joints. I use it on my bushcraft and cooking knives.

[@BigRedEDC]

If it works...it works. These knives don't touch food so haven't used it on any of them

[@PocketRazors]

Great video JB! I use air on my folders to blow the loose lint and stuff out but… your technique using the air to flush the lube and crud out is genius. Thanks for sharing this.

[@BigRedEDC]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!👍👍

[@danieltporter959]

Can you do it with WD-40? I Don't have any KPL and it makes me sad...lol Jody have you heard of BPS Knives, they are a Budget Bush craft ,Fixed blade, Kitchen knives, Company out of the Ukraine? They sell on Amazon, Etsy and they have their own website. I bought 2 so far and they are super sharp out of the box. I bought the BPS Savage in 1066 carbon steel and Bog Oak handle covers under 60 CDN So around 40 or so U.S. I bought them to all so support them in their time of need! William's Knife Life ,does a review of the Savage and other BPS Knives too.

[@BigRedEDC]

Yes...I'm sure you could and is kinda 2 birds with one stone! I have heard of BPS but havent checked out any of their knives yet! Thanks daniel!!!

[@my_everyday_carry]

Thanks, JB! This was helpful. I didn’t really know how to maintenance a slip joint. Cheers!

[@BigRedEDC]

Cool Dan....hope it helps!!

[@richardkut3976]

Thanks, keep 'em working like they should.

[@BigRedEDC]

You bet

[@Zululima3375]

Thanks for the video, going to try this on my RR half hawk 👍

[@BigRedEDC]

Cool! Hope it helps!!💯💯💯

[@idwolverine1867]

Great video, JB. Thanks for the reminder to do a little maintenance on my slip joints 👍

[@BigRedEDC]

Can really help for sure!!!

[@JoeSteel1]

Great info Big Red

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you very much Joe!!

[@bignicobignico1944]

Thumbs up for this vid JB.. I allways use Ballistol gunoil. Grtz out of Amsterdam Holland

[@BigRedEDC]

Yes sir! That works!!! Have a great day big nico!

[@robertbudnik3318]

I’ve got three Rough Ryders and I love them but each one came very gunked up, I couldn’t believe it. I had to spend time cleaning them up. Can you tell me why they come out of the factory that way? I don’t get it. They are great knives and comparatively dirt cheap. How do they accumulate crud in the manufacturing process?

[@BigRedEDC]

Most likely its from grinding on the blade! Since they are so inexpensive, they do not get the cleaning and attention that they would like a GEC. That's what I believe anyway!

[@bubba92473]

Hey BigRed, if the Rough Ryders are like you then they are one heck of knife my friend. Thanks so much for video 📹.

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you very much Marcos!!

[@Fedharrison5634]

Two thumbs up 👍👍 great video very helpful... Thanks for sharing.. Hope you are having a great week JB...

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks so much for watching Ed!!! Have a great week as well!!

[@KnivesFAST]

Excellent demo. Great vid. I need some canned air now. Thanks.

[@BigRedEDC]

LOL...it helps speed up the process a bit!!! Thanks KC!!

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

An excellent tutorial! I've always wondered about this process. Great video JB 👍

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks so much Jeremy!!

[@michaelmcdonell9492]

Thank you for showing how to get out that gunk.

[@BigRedEDC]

My pleasure Michael! Thanks for watching!

[@mikejurnak4253]

Thanks JB very informative looks like it works great I think I'm gonna order some KPL I just use blue lube

[@BigRedEDC]

Use whatever lube you like Mike!! Flushing with a less expensive oil is my preferred method!

[@terryt-rexhanke746]

Thanks for the video!

[@BigRedEDC]

My pleasure Terry! Thanks for watching!1

[@longviewstud26]

That's pretty cool. Never heard of this before

[@BigRedEDC]

Hope it helps at some point timbo!!!

[@johnwest4492]

Hi JB, could you consider doing a long term care and storage video? So some of the knife we have we learn to store them safely. Just a thought, thanks my friend 😁

[@BigRedEDC]

I probably could do that John!!

[@GromMolotok]

Useful information, thanks. I'll have to take some time with mine.

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks for watching Grom!!!

[@mikeschultz585]

You mentioned flushing a pivot on the last SKL and I was wondering about that (I'm not a slip joint guy). This video was perfectly timed, hah! Thanks JB!

[@BigRedEDC]

Cool Mike!! Appreciate you watching!

[@MichaelR58]

JB , good video and tips , thanks for sharing ,God bless !

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks so much Michael!!

[@bobbarker5884]

Its a great idea. KPL is great stuff too

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks Bob!!

[@JustineWiniker]

Never thought of canned air! Thanks for the tip! 🤙🏼

[@BigRedEDC]

Happy to help!

[@briansherwood1975]

This video was very helpful. Thank you

[@BigRedEDC]

Glad to help!!

[@TopDog8762]

Great video Big Red. Very useful.

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks so much TD!!

[@D2ArkaAra]

I've got a few knives I'll now be doing this to! Thanks for this bud! Very helpful!

[@BigRedEDC]

Awesome brother!! Thanks so much!

[@kevinrobertson2686]

Great video!

[@BigRedEDC]

Glad you enjoyed it Kevin

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

Hey JB i normally put oil in that channel and let it sit in that channel then go back and wipe the channel out real good and the back spring wait till you see what you get out of the channel and back spine thanks buddy I always try to show them videos because rough ryders come very dirty and you have to make them the best you can stay well bud

[@BigRedEDC]

Yep...for sure Pete! Dude you gotta hit me up on IG or email me! You won the GM Sonoma!!!

[@Gator-357]

Ì use a penetrating oil to flush the pivot and backspring on my slip joint knives then clean it out with acetone and denat alcohol before lubing with a quality oil.

[@BigRedEDC]

Right on

[@Michael..r]

I had a old knife working outside with it it got dirt in the pivots I took a water hose and blew all the dirt out worked brand new however I think it rusted a few days later

[@BigRedEDC]

Thats exactly to reason to flush with oil!

[@jamesortiz5388]

I use just enough oil to keep the rust away I like the joint to be stiff so it won't close up so easily.

[@BigRedEDC]

Very good James! Thanks for watching!

[@badmunkyedc1]

Great video! That was a ton of crud coming out of there.

[@BigRedEDC]

Yeah...that happens sometimes!!! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@unclecow]

Entertaining and educational great video Jb

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks for checking it out unclecow!!

[@kevink.2719]

Great video

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you very much Kevin!!

[@John..18]

Boy that KPL must be cheap in America,, to waste it like that,, over here in England, it's VERY expensive,, great tutorial tho',, 👍👍,

[@BigRedEDC]

Is it a waste when it's serving a purpose?

[@tedlarson2078]

Recommend anything in terms of food grade oils

[@BigRedEDC]

Vegetable oil

[@CamboTriton]

Very helpful info. Great video!

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks Richard!!

[@MrJankert64]

i blow out my knife pivot, with brake cleaner. then after lube it,works great. thank you for sharing.

[@BigRedEDC]

Right on!!

[@OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

I have had quite a few slip joints in my life, and have flushed the pivots on a more or less regular basis. pocket grit is terrible for the pivot. I use my machine oil can because a lot of it runs through, and is less expensive than good lube. than I lube afterwards with the good stuff. I have used canned air before, but now that I have a compressor, I just blow it out with that.

[@BigRedEDC]

Yeah buddy....more power...lol! I normally flush with a less expensive oil as well!!

[@christophwilhelm6431]

Sound advice. Please repeat 200 times for a legacy Buck 👍

[@BigRedEDC]

LOL....some knives come very dirty!!

[@ThorenTravels]

how did I not think of canned air. I've been paper toweling the gunk out lmao

[@BigRedEDC]

Whatever works! Canned air does help.

[@StephenWorth]

A pistol cleaning kit is really useful for cleaning knives too.

[@BigRedEDC]

Sure thing...thanks for watching

[@brianlash154]

I had a thought Every knife requires a break in period Even fixed blades, materials over time "shift" to their final resting spot And doubly so for slipjoint knives The handle material, the pin, steel and slipjoint assembly" will ultimately move or "shift" to a spot and stop. For those who use their knives, skin oils, debris, dirt will all congeal together and creat a sort of bond which counteracts with moving parts, so essentially if your knife had some blade play at the start, before you start the return process--- just use the knife It solidifies over time. When slipjoint knives were purchased from anywhere from 50 cents to a few dollars, do you imagine people walking around scrutinizing everything they can find about it like we do now? And how long have those knives lasted?

[@BigRedEDC]

Good thoughts!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Very nice great job! Thanks 🙂🙏

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you Mike!

[@nitrorc4life1]

I use thin aerosol oil like wd40, rem oil etc, flush pivot for 15 seconds or so, move blades, flush again. Then hit joints with compressed air. This will almost always give me a super smooth pivot even before I oil,which on slip joints I use a dry Teflon base lubricant(like dupont Teflon) which does not attract dirt and my knife pivots stay clean for much longer this way for me. Ymmv. Canned compressed air works but I prefer using my compressor wh8ch I can adjust air pressure.

[@BigRedEDC]

That works too

[@bruc33ef]

Are you sure that "gunk" isn't just graphite lubricant that's intentionally put there?

[@BigRedEDC]

If it was....it was super gritty in this one and was causing the action to be stiff! Works much better now! This method works for pocket grit after lots of carry as well!

[@randyf.9188]

It accumulates quicker than most people think.

[@BigRedEDC]

Very true Randy!!

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

So holding the knife in the toilet water & flushing isn't the correct way to flush a pivot? Dang! I've been doing it wrong. 😂

[@BigRedEDC]

Hey...whatever works for you William...lol!!

[@TheAngryDracolope]

There was a fair amount of gunk in that Rough Ryder.

[@BigRedEDC]

Yeah...it happens sometimes. Have had all types of slip joints come that way.

[@EdwinDekker71]

A bit of gapping makes it easier to clean 😎👍

[@BigRedEDC]

Thanks for watching!

[@bubba92473]

Yes, you never want to blow your oil all over the place, 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@BigRedEDC]

Very, very true Marcos!

[@grimreaper6042]

Thank you for the instructional video the compressed air is a neat trick thanks for sharing JB

[@BigRedEDC]

Speeds up the process a bit! Thanks for watching my friend!!

[@grimreaper6042]

@@BigRedEDC You’re always welcome thank you for the knowledge 🍻

[@TheBennie102103]

4:39 . . eeeww :)

[@garywebb5927]

Stop it, my knives are getting jealous.

[@BigRedEDC]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MaaZy_]

Get to the point,, too much talking

[@BigRedEDC]

LOL.....okey dokey!!!!

[@chaddamron3877]

GREAT vid man - I know what I'm doin this weekend😂💥

[@BigRedEDC]

Lol...awesome! Thanks Chad!!

[@GSHarmon]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you Gordon!!

[@stuartgross5728]

Great video!

[@BigRedEDC]

Thank you very much Stuart!!