Favorite under removable scales rust protectant

ATJ999

ATJ999

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Hey everyone,

I'm sure this has been posted in the past, but I wanted a new post to catch any new ideas and products that may have come along.

So what is your favorite item to use under removable fixed blade scales to protect the steel? Wax, beeswax, mineral oil, CLP, WD40, spray paint, petroleum jelly, etc.?
 
ATJ999 said:
petroleum jelly
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I like to use Vaseline/petroleum jelly. I coat it rather thick on the steel itself and any skeletonized areas. Then apply a thin coat to the underside of the scales themself. When you tighten everything down it’ll squeeze out the excess and create a water tight lock. I do this with all my user CPKs if I swap scales.
 
DrBC said:
I like to use Vaseline/petroleum jelly. I coat it rather thick on the steel itself and any skeletonized areas. Then apply a thin coat to the underside of the scales themself. When you tighten everything down it’ll squeeze out the excess and create a water tight lock. I do this with all my user CPKs if I swap scales.
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How long does vaseline last before you start thinking about applying more?
 
I normally wipe mine down with marine grade Tuf-Glide/ Tuf-cloth and let it dry. It has worked well for me living in the south by the coast. I’ve also used Vaseline/petroleum jelly and/or chapstick with great results. Those have worked better for me than any oils or waxes.
 
Mineral Oil has always been my favorite. WD-40 should not be used on knives imo. WD-40 is a solvent and can therefore cause damage in the long run. Mineral oil is harmless for both the blade and the handle material, and depending on the type of material it can even be extra useful.
 
For guns, knives, the underside of machinery, etc., I use an old product called Oakite Special Protective Oil. It's water-thin but dries to leave a waterproof film that (when you want to remove it) can be wiped off with mineral spirits on a rag. I got mine from my dad who probably swiped it from a factory where he worked in the '50s or '60s. Works great.

If I didn't have that, I might use Fluid Film.
 
ATJ999 said:
How long does vaseline last before you start thinking about applying more?
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This is a recent practice I picked it up from 91bravo 91bravo . He states he has been doing this for years and has never had one of his CPKs rust underneath the scales as a result. I've been doing it for about 6 months now. But my users still had a very nice coat of Vaseline underneath from the few times I swapped scales after this method.

I would honestly think the Vaseline sandwiched like that would last a year or more. I guess it matters how much you wash your knife & handles with soap and water. If you wanted to be extra cautious you might redo this once every 3-4 months. But I don't think it would have to be done that often.

91bravo 91bravo Could fill in more details than I could since he's used this method a lot longer than I have.
 
Ever seen mechanical animal traps that look maybe a year old but they're over ten?

It's hard white wax melted in boiling water. And the trap is dunked in the water. The original old school, Fluid Film. Best rust prevention I have ever seen.

Otherwise, Johnson paste wax.
 
whereismyknife said:
Mineral Oil has always been my favorite. WD-40 should not be used on knives imo. WD-40 is a solvent and can therefore cause damage in the long run. Mineral oil is harmless for both the blade and the handle material, and depending on the type of material it can even be extra useful.
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While WD 40 is probably too thin to put on tangs under scales, it won't cause any damage. I use it every day in my cutlery shop-making knives and restoring extremely valuable knives. It puzzles me why people keep on making ridiculous remarks about WD 40. It's one of the most innocuous and useful lubricants. I guess they want to appear to have some knowledge the rest of us don't.
FYI- the main ingredient in WD 40 is mineral oil!
 
BTW- if you are concerned about corrosion under knife handles, I would think a coat of Rustoleum paint would last a very long time.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
While WD 40 is probably too thin to put on tangs under scales, it won't cause any damage. I use it every day in my cutlery shop-making knives and restoring extremely valuable knives. It puzzles me why people keep on making ridiculous remarks about WD 40. It's one of the most innocuous and useful lubricants. I guess they want to appear to have some knowledge the rest of us don't.
FYI- the main ingredient in WD 40 is mineral oil!
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Thank you for informing me. Everything I read about WD-40 said it should not be used as a lubricant. Still, wouldn't it make more sense to use mineral oil directly? Is there a specific reason why you use WD-40 instead of mineral oil?
 
I use Frog lube. It came out on top quite a few years back in an anti corrosion test done here IIRC. Don't have to worry about oil or greases migrating out.
 
Frog lube here as well. Gets sticky over time, but that's no issue under scales.
 
ferider said:
Frog lube here as well. Gets sticky over time, but that's no issue under scales.
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Do you warm up the metal, let it sit on there for a few minutes then wipe off the excess? Never had problems with mine getting sticky.
 
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