Those of you that own a Leatherman pocket knife probably need no preaching from us on their quality and versatility.

These are some of the most practical and utilitarian multi-tools the world has ever seen and rank up there with Victorinox Swiss Army Knife tools in terms of value.

They are also often made from premium materials, like 154CM super-steels and other stainless alloys that are strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant.

But that last one is the key word. Stainless steels are corrosion-resistant, not proof.

And, moreover, the fact that these are folding multi-tools means they have fasteners, joints, and pivot points that need to be cleaned periodically unless you want the whole works to seize.

So, with that in mind, here’s a quick intro to Leatherman pocket knife care.

Cleaning Your Leatherman Pocket Knife

The easiest way to keep your Leatherman pocket knife in fighting shape is with frequent routine cleanings punctuated by deep cleanings. (The latter are necessary from time to time because the fasteners used in Leather tools are made of tool steel and not stainless steel. Consequently, they will corrode or seize if not properly cared for.)

Best practice is to clean the Leatherman pocket knife immediately after use, if there’s anything stuck to it. Mud, water, sand, grime, grease, blood, fat, you name it. You should never put it away dirty.

For routine cleaning, all you need to do is rinse it off and wipe it down. You can use cotton cloth or chamois to help ensure that it’s properly dry. Make sure you dry it thoroughly before folding it and putting it away.

If the Leatherman is dirtier than usual, you can use a cleaning solution or cleaning oil to help dislodge dirt and debris. Be sparing with it, though, and never use harsh detergents on your Leatherman pocket knife.

You can use oils like Trisol, Liquid Wrench, and WD-40 very sparingly to assist in cleaning. An added benefit of using these is that in some instances (such as with WD-40) the cleaner will help force out moisture.

If there’s tar, gum or gunk built up in or on your Leatherman, consider using a little bit of turpentine or mineral spirits to break it up before scrubbing it off. Just be careful never to use brake cleaner or acetone on your Leatherman as these can damage it.

If your Leatherman is otherwise clean but has a little bit of lint of particulate matter accumulated in the joints or other moving parts, consider using compressed air to clean it, which will not leave a residue.

Lubrication/Corrosion Prevention

In addition to keeping your Leatherman pocket knife clean, you will also want to make sure you keep it lightly lubricated and oiled to protect against corrosion.

After cleaning, apply a light coat of oil like one of those used above. Rem Oil and Hoppe’s Gun Oil are also suitable alternatives. Apply a very light coat to all surfaces except the pivot points as these oils can attract grit.

The purpose of the oil is to create a barrier to oxidation, not to lubricate. For lubrication purposes, use a PTFE or Teflon-based lubricant that will not leave a residue and therefore won’t attract dirt.

If your Leatherman already has a spot of corrosion, there are a few things you can do.

One is to use a slice of raw potato to treat the area, or a solution of water and baking soda, which is slightly abrasive.

Treat the spot and scrub it clean with an old toothbrush. Another solution is to use a brass brush to scrub away rust spots. Don’t use stainless steel as it will scratch the Leatherman.

Once you’ve removed the spot of rust, re-treat the area with a light coat of oil to create an air and watertight barrier against corrosion.

Keeping It Sharp

Another element of routine Leatherman pocket knife care is keeping the cutting implements sharp.

Sharp blades cut cleanly and you’re less likely to slip and have an accident with one. If your Leatherman multi-tool has a blade, keep it in good cutting order.

You don’t need special equipment for this. You can use a guided sharpening system, a pocket stone, a bench stone, or even a sharpening rod.

Just make sure you do it periodically and keep your knives sharp. A dull knife is an accident waiting to happen.

Tightening the Fasteners/Pivot Points

From time to time, you’re going to need to tighten the pivot points, fasteners, and other hardware on your Leatherman pocket knife, too.

Repeatedly opening and closing your Leatherman, and its tools, can cause them to become looser over time,

This is especially true at the pivot point, which is customarily tensioned with a small screw. A micro-screwdriver with the appropriate bit is all you need.

When you notice it becoming looser than usual, tighten it up.

Also, when you give your Leatherman a deep clean, remove all the threaded fasteners, clean them gently, and then coat them lightly in oil or WD-40 before reinstalling them.

Take Extra Care Around Saltwater

For those of you that will be using your Leatherman pocket knife in marine environments or will periodically expose it to saltwater, a higher level of care is in order.

Even highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloys will fall prey to corrosion in saltwater environments.

Therefore, before exposing your Leatherman to saltwater, it is advisable to give the whole tool, including the pivot point and fasteners a light coat of engine oil.

Even though engine oil will attract dust, it will help seal off the tool from the environment, preventing corrosion.

Following this protocol, you will need to strip and clean the tool more frequently, but the coat of oil should help keep rust and corrosion at bay.

Also, if you carry around saltwater, a nylon or Kydex sheath is a better option than leather. Not only will leather rot in moist environments, but it will also trap salt and water which will destroy your Leatherman.

Plus, nylon and Kydex can be rinsed clean and in the case of Nylon, even run through a washing machine if necessary.

If the model has a pocket clip, even better, just use the clip and don’t carry it in a sheath or belt holster.

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