Keeping the area dry sounds like a much better idea than exposing old scales to alcohol repeatedly.

Do any of you guys keep a little dressing of light weight machine oil around the pin area just in case it gets a bit damp?

I'm probably being paranoid here, but I'm working darn hard at restoring these blades to rust/pit/stain/defect free condition, and *really* want to prevent any rust, etc. from re-appearing.