Thread: Best way to clean up the jimps?

Here is the set I use
Needle Files T12 (Steel/Alloy/Plastic)

Although if that is all your buying, the shipping will cost will not make it worth buying just the files as they have a minimum shipping weight charge. It will be $2.50 for the files and $10 for shipping

I've used the soft bristle wheel with polish as well as the wire wheel on a dremel with good results.

Ok, what if you have dirty jimps that are within the scales. I don't want to use a brush or file
that may damage the scales....

I suppose I could go at them with a bent safety pin.

The nylon bristle brush for the dremel (#403) works well between the scales. You still need to be cautious but the nylon is way more forgiving then the metal brush. I put a little crox on it from my srd crayon and run it lengthwise along the tang.

If cleaning the are between the scales(with or without jimps) I like to use a fiberglass pen. It will remove most rust and crud before polishing. A little dish soap and a stiff nylon brush can be good if there's old soap and crud in there. Contrary to popular belief, razors don't die if they touch water. Just be sure to wipe it down and air dry after a good rinse.

Another vote for the soft dremel wheel or wire brush if it is bad. If you don't have a dremel then use a toothbrush or wire brush and that will take care of it.

I have not bought files from Widgetsupply, but they carry both diamond types AND the traditional needle files in small inexpensive kits. In fact, they have quite a selection of small tools that come in handy for this and that. I have not ordered from them in a long time, it looks like I should poke around their site, as things have changed.