How To Best Clean and Preserve My New HJ Knife?

[aechols83]

Hi, all. I just recently purchased the HJ knife pictured below and wanted a couple pointers on how best to clean (if I even do that) and protect it. The knife is not all that dirty, but I wanted to know what I could safely do were I to want to "freshen" or "clean it up" a bit and also preserve it while causing no damage.
I have read through this forum and believe the the best course might be to lighty clean the blade with warm soap and water and using a very soft toothbrush...then, of course, dry very thoroughly. I was then going to apply a very small amount of RenWax to the blade to shine it a little and give it a preservative coating. Am I correct in thinking that the renwax might apply better to a surface that is cleaner rather than dirtier?
Any thoughts on this or how I might touch up the handle? I am assuming I can also use the renwax on this part of the knife. I am also planning on trying to restore the leather washer/buffer. I've already gotten some advice on this, but if anyone else has thoughts that's great.

It's my first HJ knife and I'm a bit of an obsessive-compulsive so I'd like to do or not do what I can to put it at it's best. Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Adam

[Adrian Stevenson]

Renwax will be fine for the whole knife, all parts. I would clean off any dirt as suggested and then wax. That is all you need to do.

Cheers, Ade.

[shadowwolf]

Adam,
Good question. I have wondered myself what is the best way of keeping my knife clean.

Ade,
Where would one buy Renwax from?

Regards to all, Simon.

[Richie B]

Shadowwolf

re Renwax

Sylmasta Ltd Renaissance Finishing

http://www.preservationequipment.com/ProductSearch.aspx

Regards

Richie

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Simon, I got mine direct from the manufacturers here in the UK:

www.Picreator.co.uk | Materials for Professional Restoration and Conservation

It is not cheap, I bought mine about 2 years ago and it was about £11 then. But a little goes a long long way. Still got half a tin left.

Cheers, Ade.

[shadowwolf]

Ade and Richie,
Thanks for your prompt reply and advice
Regards to all, Simon.

[shadowwolf]

Ren wax bought,
Thanks for the help
Regards to all, Simon.