Unsnapping snap cufflinks

[Vintage Betty]

I have some gentleman's 1920 snap cufflinks that are stuck. What is the best way to unsnap them? Brute force?

Any way to prevent them from getting stuck again?

Advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Vintage Betty

 

[jamespowers]

That is a tough one. I usually just use a thin, sharp pocketknife blade to gently pry them apart.
Believe it or not, some WD40 keeps them from getting stuck again. Just wipe off any excess and keep it away from the enamel work ones as best you can.

 

[Vintage Betty]

Thanks for the advice! I will try your method and see what happens.

Vintage Betty

 

[Warbaby]

Beeswax also works to keep them lubricated.

 

[AlanC]

Snap them apart like you're snapping a twig. Don't pull, snap down.

 

[Vintage Betty]

Thanks guys. This is for you Alan -

Stuck cufflinks score:

1 = Alan
1 = Still stuck
__________________

TIE

 

[AlanC]

Well, .500 ain't bad.

Is it possible that the still stuck pair has some sort of release mechanism like a push button?

 

[Tomasso]

Well, .500 ain't bad.

For a baseball player, no; For a surgeon......

 

[Warbaby]

If at first you don't succeed, pry harder...

Also - once you get them apart, polish both the post and the socket with #0000 steel wool to remove any surface corrosion and smooth the surface.

 

[rumblefish]

Maybe go with the WD-40 or another penetrating lube, then gently heat (like with a hair dryer) and cool. The expansion and contraction, movement, of the metal may do the trick. Try seperating at different times while they cool down. The steel wool, or if you can get your hands on some powdered graphite to polish, would be a good follow up. Find-graphite at a locksmith, use-after wiping away all the lubrication, apply and work-sides together to polish mating parts. Good luck