how to clean gunk from a scabbard

[Richard]

Read with interest the thread on cleaning the inside of a scabbard but am too afraid to try to take one apart. I received several daggers from a collector who thought vaseline as a good thing to smear liberally on the blades before inserting them into the scabbard. I have a Heer, Luftwaffe (1st model), SA, NSKK, RAD and Red Cross hewer all with this issue. Naturally I imagine that the inside of the scabbards look like a grease pit. Is there any way to get the vaseline out of the scabbards without taking them apart and what should I watch out for in regards to damaging the "innards"?
Richard V

[Tiger 1]

On your all metal scabbards you may want to flush out the gunk using a very light solvent such as mineral spirits. If you are very careful a soapy solution of dish soap will cut the grease(vaseline) but you must be very sure to shake out the excess water after rinsing and very thouroughly dry the scabbard using a hair dryer.

Obviously don't use any liquids on a leather covered scabbard or one with wood runners.

Tony

[Richard]

Thanks Tony!
Richard V