subject: Multi-tool Maintenance: Tips For Taking Proper Care [print this page] Without proper maintenance, your stainless steel multi-tool will begin to malfunction. We've outlined the basics of multi-tool maintenance below, using COAST's C2899 stainless steel multi-tool as a case study. Follow these tips to keep your multi-tool in tip-top shape.
1. Lubricate Consistently.
Without lubrication, your multi-tool will become clogged with lint, and dirt, until one day it becomes jammed in the open or closed position.
To lubricate your multi-tool, find a soft cloth for application. A toothpaste may help you reach your multi-tool's main joint. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to soak your gadget's pliers in the lubricant, or to completely disassemble your tool. Be cautious in the latter two cases - diagram how everything goes together as you take apart your multi-tool, and be wary of any parts that could be damaged with a soak. (For example, the C2899 multi-tool includes an LED in the handle, which could be destroyed by the lube.)
Bicycle chain lube, Teflon-based lube, and mineral oil make excellent multi-tool lubricants. (Mineral oil is the safest for multi-tools that are used to prepare food.) Gun oil is another choice. Some multi-tool owners recommend using a wax-based lube, since wax doesn't attract dirt, and it stays where you put it, unlike oil-based lubricants, which sometimes "migrate" away from the application site. Whatever type of lubricant you choose, make sure you wipe up the excess with a soft cloth.
2. Sharpen the Blades as Needed.
Whetstones, sharpening rods, and various sharpening products may be used to sharpen the straightedge blades in your multi-tool. If, however, your stainless steel multi-tool includes a serrated edge accessory, you will need a specialized sharpening gadget to maintain the curve of the serrations.
3. Prevent and Remove Rust.
Rust is poisonous for humans and harmful for multi-tools. If you use your multi-tool for food preparation, a rusty blade could cause the deadly malady Tetanus. Rust also weakens and eventually destroys metal.
Even a stainless steel multi-tool is not impervious to rust. High-chromium content in a stainless steel blade provides rust resistance. A 400-series steel mixture, such as that used in the C2899, includes more chromium than other grades of stainless steel. However, even 400-series stainless steel will corrode and rust if left in contact with moisture.
You can avoid a rusty multi-tool by wiping off its blades with a soft cloth after every use. If rust is already present, here are a couple of ways to remove it:
Aluminum Foil that's been Dipped in Water. One advantage of this approach is that it won't scratch the blade, as would steel wool.
Oil or Specialized Rust Remover. Olive oil rubbed on with a paper towel might do the trick; this is a safer option than chemical rust removers if you use your multi-tool for food preparation. Rub the oil on with cardboard if your rust stains are more stubborn.
Baking Soda naturally binds to rust particles and lifts them away. Try scrubbing on the baking soda with a toothbrush. Apply oil as a follow-up.
A multi-tool can deliver years of reliable service if properly maintained with regular lubrication, rust removal, and blade sharpening. One final tip for any hunters out there: Bring a microfiber cloth with you into the backcountry, so that you can immediately dry off your multi-tool after every use, thereby averting rust build-up.
