If the blade becomes bent, straighten it with a hammer on a block of wood.
Keep your intrenching tool free from rust, being especially careful that no rust gets into the sockets.
Leather Equipment
[1314]. General. Because of the value of leather equipment and its rapid deterioration if neglected, the proper care of leather is most important.
[1315]. Materials. Two agents are necessary to the proper cleaning of leather,—a cleaning agent and an oiling agent.
The cleaning agent issued by the Ordnance Department is castile soap; the oiling agents are neat's-foot oil and harness soap.[16]
The soap cleans the surface of the leather, and removes from the surface pores of the leather, dirt, sweat, and other foreign matter, so that the oil can more readily penetrate the pores and saturate the fibers, thus making the leather pliable and elastic.
[1316]. Cleaning. Daily, or as often as used, leather equipment should be wiped off with a cloth slightly dampened in water, merely to remove mud, dust or other foreign substances.
This daily care will do much to maintain the appearance of the equipment, but it is, however, insufficient of itself to properly preserve it.
Leather should never be cleaned by immersing in water or holding under a hydrant.