Cleaning a cigar cutter

[PigFish]

  On 5/27/2017 at 2:55 AM, Fugu said:

Oh there is - and some considerable:

These are two quite diametrical cleaning approaches. While the solvent-based (acetone is a ketone, not an alcohol - just smart assing...) is a purely physico-chemical procedure, the toothpaste method is essentially a mechanical (plus detergent and water as a solvent) one. Pure solvents may come with the disadvantage of being potentially agressive to plastics (depending on the material, but ethanol and isoprop won't do any harm to most).

Much depends on the material to clean, as to what might be considered "friendly", Piggy. There are pros and cons, depending on the task.

Citric acid and anything water-based may be highly corrosive to certain materials (even some plastics). Tooth paste comes with the con of being abrasive and having a polishing effect, at least when used regularly. Not everyone wants that. And in addition - which would be more concerning to me - a more functional than an aesthetic effect: it may cause remains of the paste and polishing particles to become stuck and accumulate in any gaps, in the grooves for and between the blades (in particular in two-bladed guillotines) and around the pivot etc.. This can affect mechanical function and smoothness of action. Furthermore, water-based (acids) may not be compatible with brass pivots, and water itself may act for quite some time, trapped in smaller gaps. So, unless all parts are truly and fully stainless, i'd be careful with waterbased and polishing agents. Whereas the above mentioned - mostly harmless (chemically as well as health-wise) solvents will evaporate immediately and be gone rather quickly. Therefore much easier to control (don't dip or drown - just wipe....), and much less of a hassle, in particular if there are no plastics involved, than a water-based method (not good for wooden applications as well), if you ask me. But I have to admit, I have had no idea of the encrustations that might be found on certain french-kiss cutters....   

Edit: On second (third) reading, I stumbled across your ...

didn't grasp what water scale is.... True, for limescale, only abrasives or mild organic acids will work.
Didn't expect you're a Limey, Ray.... haha.

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... can we agree on f'ing naphtha then??? -LOL

... toothpaste, water, compressed air, all bad in certain circumstances, great for cleaning cigar cutters!!! Mine anyway...! -LOL

Won't use 'ketones' on my cutters, just use it on epoxies and certain solvent weld adhesives and finishes, oh, and when I want to change the colors of my toenails!!! It is good for that!!! -Piggy