Ruined knives aren't dropped from the players hands and can be picked up and used to melee after being ruined. However, they can't be used for any crafting, or can opening.

-The infections from rags that are not disinfected happen immediately after applying them. The infection take no time to "set in"
-The "disinfected" state for rags seems to be temporary. I'm unsure if this is intended.
-Breaking one long stick only yields one short stick.