Favorite Oil for Knives

[Don Luis]

I use mineral oil, inexpensive and easy to find, does the job fine and I also use it on my bamboo cutting boards.

I admit to having used baby oil in a pinch (I believe it's scented mineral oil).

Luis

 

[Bucksstophere]

Im taking it by its absence that wd-40 must be really bad??

 

[misterjuiceman]

does anyone ever use Dow33 on their knives? I have some around, and it's supposed to be fairly temperature invariant.

 

[scotsmanspride]

Mineral oil. Works great! safe for knives used with food, and doesn't gum up like most other oils. Same stuff i switched to on all my cast iron cookware for non- seasoning purposes too.

 

[D'ohboy]

I think the problem with WD-40 is that it attracts gunk.

 

[yoda4561]

Im taking it by its absence that wd-40 must be really bad??

WD-40 is okay for cleaning and temporary lubrication, great for hosing down a folder after it's been cleaned in a hot soapy water bath or ultrasonic tank. Not so great for lubrication, and before it evaporates has fair protective qualities due to it's water displacing nature.

For lubrication, protection, and general maintenence I use Weaponshield CLP, basically an evolution of FP-10 which was my previous favorite.

 

[bchan77]

Another vote for mineral oil. The assurance that you know what you are putting on your knives is incomparable instead of some exotic (and also may be not food-safe to boot) chemical is incomparable. You never know when the situation calls for the use of a knife.

 

[cgmblade]

tri-flow (liquid, I don't like the spray for knives because it is too messy) for the pivot and moving parts and mineral oil for the blade itself if non SS.

 

[din]

oil of olay.

 

[Peter Parker]

 

[stormyone]

Break Free CLP

Tom

:thumbup:

 

[LouZava]

I think I will start using mineral oil for sure.

 

[PV29]

Mineral oil was not too good on my Vic Solo Alox and my Lone Wolf Presto. It was OK immediately after application, but washed off quickly and the action of those folders was sticky and not very smooth.

I've used Militec on them since, and they've been great. Heat the pivot with a hair dryer, or even just leave the knife in your pocket for awhile so that it gets to body temperature. Use a sparing amount on the pivot alone (I don't put it on the blade). Work it in and wipe off any excess. It lasts very long and doesn't attract lint and gunk.

I've read where Benchmade now sells Militec on their website, and they recommend it for their axis locks. I've used it on my BM 707 and it works great. Just got a Native III that was a bit stiff, and now it opens smooth with just the right resistance from the back lock.

Ever since I used Militec at the gun range on my guns, I've been sold.

Not sure of the taste, but it says "non-toxic", I guess in case I get it on the blade.

 

[gibbyx]

hit it square on the head:thumbup:
mineral oil for all mine, works great, cheap and food safe, have the same big bottle from the grocery now for 2+ years and still not half way through and it gets used on all sharp and pointy in my house
ivan

Ditto.

 

[Alberta Ed]

BreakFree is impossible to find in Alberta (Calgary) -- I wonder if it's all going to Iraq and Afghanistan troops.

 

[reeltitanium]

Tuf-Glide for function (folders & autos) mineral oil for wipe downs and general protection.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Im taking it by its absence that wd-40 must be really bad??

WD-40 is a SOLVENT. It's designed to TEMPORARILY lubricate (to facilitate freeing up stuck pivots & such) while breaking up rust & other gunk. It's great for cleaning up old, neglected knives. It evaporates in short order, and therefore is not useful as a full-time lubricant.

 

[Guyon]

Quaker State 10W-40.

 

[bekylane]

Tri-Flow for lubing bearings on balis and folding knives.

Regular mineral oil to coat swords and carbon steel knives.

 

[Knife Outlet]

Whichever gun oil I have around. All of them are good.