I've been wearing my Leatherman multitool on my hip since I discovered this website. Today, I was with my family while we were boating on the Chesapeake Bay with family friends (their boat), and while I didn't have to jump in to rescue my swimming kids, it occurred to me that if I did, my Leatherman in its nylon sheath would be dunked in saltwater.

If this or something similar should happen, what is the recommended procedure to clean-up the tool and return it to hip-service? I mean, I'd imagine to run it under clean water, dry and then oil it in some way. Thanks. -Gary

You got it exactly right. Wash it off good in warm clean water (a little soap helps too), dry it thoroughly, oil the pivots directly and wipe everything else down with a little oil on a cloth (or Tuf-Cloth if you can find it).

I've been doing that for years and never had any problems with rust.

After the washing, a good blowing of high pressure air, from either an air compressor or the canned air some use to clean their computer keyboard, etc, will get the water out of those little nooks and crannies. After oiling another hit of air will spread the oil into those same nooks...

Use the regular dish washing soap, not the one for hands (it might leave a residue). I'd wash it in clean benzine (Homedepot, Ace...) instead to remove the old oil too which could trap water, salt, perhaps sand. But that's not really so crucial.
Hair drier works good for drying too (just watch plastic inserts, if any, for melting). Oil it immediately while not completely cooled down. Make sure to dry out your nylon sheath too.

While the knife is dunked in warm water make sure to open & close the tools and blades to help dissolve salts in the nooks & crannies.

Just a personal bias on my part -- I hate using WD40 on knives. This is mostly because of the smell. My recommendation is to use a simple high-grade oil like 3-in-1 or similar. Of course you can also use the higher end stuff like Militec. Work it into the joints by opening & closing the tools and blades.

Don't forget while rinsing & oiling to get the joint on the scissors and - if you've got the newer model - remove the screwdriver bits from the holders.

You should be good to go.

Yeah, don't forget to rinse off the sheath real good too. Like Alex said, dry it before stowing the knife away.

Ken

Most Leatherman are 440 Stainless, though not as corrosion resistant as 300 or 330 stainless, it is better then a carbon steal or some other low chromium alloys. I would say just a rise in water and then try with a cloth would do sufficent. When I dove in Okinawa I would just rinse my equipment, incluiding a 440 stainless dive knife. So I would say nothing more invasive then just a rinse in fresh water. A shot of WD-40 never hurts either.
cheers

Actually a shot of WD-40 can hurt if its not replaced by something else. Remember WD 40 is a water displacer not an oil. I didn't realize this years ago and would spray my pocket knife with wd 40 and it would get all sticky and collect dirt and did more harm than good. I proper oil is what you want to use.

Yeah, I know WD40 is supposed to be good for displacing the water ... but oh that smell. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does.

If it were winter I'd suggest putting the knife over a forced-hot air vent for a day or two to warm it up and drive off the water. If I was sure the knife didn't have plastic washers or other parts I'd recommend putting it in an oven on the lowest heat setting for an hour or so.

Ken

Okay, thanks for the correction. I guess any light wt machine oil would be more correct. I know I got some what I thought was corrosion on the teeth of pliers on my Leatherman Wave as shot of WD-40 and wipe off with a cloth did the trick, while a whip of a cloth without the WD-40 did nada.
cheers

yes, it does make a good cleaner, it will thin out whatever grease/dirt/crap is on it and then let you wipe it off. Works good for cleaning years of engine grease off the bolt for whatever part you want to remove. Its just that its not a long term lubricant, if you use it to clean then you want to wipe it off and replace it with a lubricant. I prefer something more like the spray lithium grease where it will be a lottle bit water resistant.

I agree with the others: water and dish soap, maybe use a toothbrush, rinse, dry, and oil. THe only thing I would add is to use HOT water for the wash and rinse.

Due to the high salt content in the air here in Hawai'i my leatherman is actually starting to get rust spots (arggg!!) any one know a way to clean this up?

Rubbing alcohol works great for getting stuff like tape residue off. The little alcohol wipe packets are handy when traveling, too.

You could try naval jelly, oil and find steel wool, or maybe coke (altho I do not recommend that one, leaves a sticky mess)...

You could try naval jelly, oil and fine steel wool, or maybe coke (altho I do not recommend that one, leaves a sticky mess)...

I like 3-in-1 oil and OOOO steel wool and a soft touch. I've used this on various tool that were stored damp for whatever reason, or like the crowbar in my car, got exposed to ice and road salt.

I second the 3-1 and steel wool to work on the rust spots. In fact, to oil my knives or multi-tool, that's all I use. The WD-40 isn;t enough of a lubricant/protectant for me and the fancy (but effective) high-tech lubes are too pricey.

Thank you all for your suggestions

I know, "Holy Revived Thread Batman" but I could not resist adding to this one. 1st post BTW.

I was on the sound side of the Outer Bank's Pea Island one morning net casting for mullet (bait) and found a org. Leatherman in the shallows. Just one handle was out of the sand on the bottom.

I removed it from the water and stuck it in my pocket. It looked OK. When I got back to my truck I threw it in a cooler of fresh water I use to rinse stuff off while surf fishing. The next morning I remembered it. I rinsed it off and used some dish washing deterengt on it. Let it dry and buffed/lubed it with rem-oil and a paper towel.

It was good to go and I've used it at work for several years. I wonder sometimes just how long it was in the water and if the steel was better with the org. Leatherman. That one certainly did OK in salt water.

Maybe it was coated with something like the tuff cloth I use. I've turned a couple local divers onto this stuff, and they say it works great on all their gear.