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.