How to Take Apart a Pocket Knife

Clean all the parts of your pocket knife by taking it completely apart. Over time, pocket knives can become dirty, corroded and can break in certain places. By taking your pocket knife apart, you can clean each individual piece, replace broken parts and extend the overall life of your knife. With the right tools, you can take apart your pocket knife in just a few basic steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Phillips-head screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your pocket knife on a flat surface. Look for screws and decide if they will require a flat- or Phillips-head screwdriver to remove them. Flat-head screws will have a single sunken indentation on the top. Phillips-head screws have a cross pattern in the top.

    • 2

      Remove all observable screws on the pocket knife with either the flat-head or Phillips-head screwdriver. There is almost always at least one screw on the outside of the knife. If you can't find it, remove any covers or decoration on the outside of the knife.

    • 3

      Take off the panels of the pocket knife, once the screws are removed, and search for any other screws on the knife.

    • 4

      Remove all other screws and place each individual section on the flat surface. Be careful not to cut yourself on any exposed parts. Take note of the order in which you removed each part so you can put it back the together the same way.

    • 5

      Take apart each individual part by using the flat-head screwdriver. Carefully pry apart the pieces using leverage. Take care not to damage the individual pieces of the knife.

    • 6

      Clean or replace parts in the pocket knife and put it back together when you're finished.