Best Lube for Bearing Flippers

For bearings specifically I like to use a thinner lubricant. Breakfree CLP or some stuff I got call Zero friction (I think that's the name, it's a red lube I got at Gander Mountain in the gun section). For washers I prefer a thicker lubricant, normally a few drops of Hoppes 9 does the trick. I found thin oils like to migrate out of washers, but stick on bearings.
 
I've used Breakfree CLP for years. I've tried some of the "recommended" lubes every now and again, but noticed a decrease in smoothness or no noticeable change. When considering the cost of CLP vs all of the expensive lubes out there, I don't see any benefit paying more for equal or less performance.
 
I've used Breakfree CLP for years. I've tried some of the "recommended" lubes every now and again, but noticed a decrease in smoothness or no noticeable change. When considering the cost of CLP vs all of the expensive lubes out there, I don't see any benefit paying more for equal or less performance.

I use Breakfree CLP on all my firearms.....all 36 of them. Been using it for years.
 
I went from 3 in one oil (early 60s as a kid) to rem oil to Break Free CLP and stayed with that for many years and still use it for hardware and such. I used to sort of laugh about the toxic nature of break free but not so much any more. I don't think Ballistol is much better, more like just as good with out being toxic imho.
[video=youtube;kI_ak_cXAFA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_ak_cXAFA[/video]
 
nano oil is 100% snake oil, its history has been poor and people still keep recomending it which i dont understand. who wants a lube that cant pass any standardized oil testing or lasts for about a week? you are better off with blue lube, diawa reel oil, machine oil etc. There are many other lubes/grease to use too.

i like to use Finish Line Extreme Fluoro Grease, this is because the grease has so many more advantages over oil in bearings. also the lubes mentioned here http://www.grantcunningham.com/2006/05/lubrication-101/

whatever the lube of choice, only small amount is requires. just enough to coat the metal to protect it. you can simply wipe off excess, and you should for the liquid type lubes, reason being is that it will get all over, attract more lint and dust etc and require you to change it sooner. people slather it on in hopes of smoothness, but thats not a good thing. if your bearing flippers are not smooth without lube, excess lube isnt going to make things better, maybe in the short term for some.
 
I have tons of Nano oil from when the owner (Christian StClaire) kept sending me new tubes in hopes of getting me an "untainted" tube without aluminum shavings in it. I also still have the pen, flashlight and magnifying lens he sent so I could "inspect" each tube as I received them.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1322458-Not-so-Nano-Nano-oil
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1325019-Nano-oil-fool-me-once

Ive used it...because I have it...it works great for about a day and then it gets sticky. Ive used it on knives and then put them away only to come back and find them stiff and sticky. After many emails with the Christian StClaire, I can say I really don't think its anything other than Slick 50 motor treatment or some other concoction he whips up in his garage. However he says he was the first person/inventor to ever put a L.E.D. bulb in a ink-pen......so he's got that going for him..:rolleyes:
 
I have tons of Nano oil from when the owner (Christian StClaire) kept sending me new tubes in hopes of getting me an "untainted" tube without aluminum shavings in it. I also still have the pen, flashlight and magnifying lens he sent so I could "inspect" each tube as I received them.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1322458-Not-so-Nano-Nano-oil
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1325019-Nano-oil-fool-me-once

Ive used it...because I have it...it works great for about a day and then it gets sticky. Ive used it on knives and then put them away only to come back and find them stiff and sticky. After many emails with the Christian StClaire, I can say I really don't think its anything other than Slick 50 motor treatment or some other concoction he whips up in his garage. However he says he was the first person/inventor to ever put a L.E.D. bulb in a ink-pen......so he's got that going for him..:rolleyes:


Despite our differences i have to agree with you. I see nothing special about the product and it gums my knives up too.
 
I strictly use Nano-Oil now.

10 weight for pivot and blade protection.

The thicker 85 weight on detent ball and ball bearings.

In all cases just a drop or two.
 
........... it gums my knives up too.

Thats the perfect word...."Gums".
Ive been using the tiniest bit of Rem oil and sometimes Breakfree with good results. Ive been looking for a oil/graphite mixture/brand to try. Anyone have a suggestion?
 
gums up bad agree. nano oil is pure snake oil.

here's a lube concoction from anvil-den blog
http://blades-blades-blades.blogspot.jp/2015/08/take-down-111-mrbs.html

amazing knife porn too.

A big question in my mind has always been whether it is just the balls that rotate or its both that and the retainer revolving when a blade is fired. A question spurred during one of those blade gatherings by Koji-san. I've always maintained that it's the balls that moved, not the retainer. Any movement in the retainer would only be rather slight.




It is in this regard that I have always tried to re-pack lubes like I would in load bearing applications on other stuff. Trying to get the viscosity right with grease or mix that will "stay" and not be too easily forced out over time which happens to too viscous a lube.

Not a fan of oil lubing alone. That's only something reserved for race day preps on bikes where every microsec counts. Only to be repacked again afterwards. Oil makes everything fast but noisier and will wear things out faster

Anvil's F(x) 38 "Wasabi-Mayo" : 70/30 concoction of Shimano Durace Ace Bearing grease and Chris King Spline lube + a couple drops of ZX1 Micro Oil.

Alright my secret is out. There's a lot of other nice slick lubes out there. Ain't much of a rocket science. Just happen that this works for me on most ball load bearings for a fine balance of things normally associated with such applications.

11903319_10153542146702173_1283852958_n.jpg


DSCN2998-horz.jpg


https://youtu.be/Im_OMJu9dQg
I have yet to try this. having a hard time finding where to find the part numbers to buy the mix he mentions.
 
Last edited:
I use Frog Lube on the blade as a rust inhibitor (works great for that) but it leaves a gummy residue, which would be horrible for the pivot.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
So back to the OP's question regarding the nano oil weight.

Which nano oil is best for the bearings in a ZT flipper.........85 or 10?

It seems like most people use 10 but has anyone triad 85w and noticed a difference?

(I am speaking just the bearings. Not the detent)
 
So back to the OP's question regarding the nano oil weight.

Which nano oil is best for the bearings in a ZT flipper.........85 or 10?

It seems like most people use 10 but has anyone triad 85w and noticed a difference?

(I am speaking just the bearings. Not the detent)
people put on too much nano oil, this is the problem.
read here https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/has-anyone-done-a-any-lubrication-friction-testing.1510135/
he tests the two wt's in nano iirc.
 
Back
Top