Help Me Lubricate My Folding Knives

cziv

cziv

Joined
Nov 24, 2005
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I have about 20 folders and I have been obsessing about what to use for the fastest opening of the pivots.

I have always used spray REM-Oil on my guns and knives but have read about so many things.

I have:

Rem-Oil

Militec 1

Quick Release (from Latama)

Corrosion X (for guns)

Corrosion X (standard stuff)

3 in 1

I read that these were good and I have read some bad things. I'm confused.

I also read that you can buy 100% food grade silicone in the pharmacy.

I would have posted in the "Ultimate Lubricant" thread but it's very old. I currently have a squirt of Rem-Oil in all of them and wiped away all of the excess.

Anyone's recommendations about my existing products would be appreciated!

Thanks! :)
 
I'm also interested in this. What would be the best food-friendly lubricant to use on pivots?
 
I use pharmaceutical grade mineral oil. It can be found at any Walgreen's-type store where it is sold as a laxative. If I know I will not be using the knife for food, I really like FP-10 because it works well and it smells good. :)
 
I use 3-in-1 cause it's what I have handy. I just wipe it off before food use. Won't hurt anything. If I weren't lazy, I'd go get some unscented mineral oil and try that...
 
I would have posted in the "Ultimate Lubricant" thread but it's very old.
Click to expand...

Thanks daddÿ I checked it out, apprecite the link though! :)
 
I just posted it just in case others haven't seen it. I have still yet to read it.




daddÿ
 
I've never found anything better than Militec-1.
It is the Best.
Now, I do use my knife on food occasionally and I have had no issues. But, I don't leave my pivots wet. I lube very precisely. If there's any fluid left layin' around after lubing, I wipe/clean up. For me the very best time to lube is, after a disassembly and cleaning, before reassembling the knife.
 
One of our members who makes auto knives endorsed Militec 1.

I read some directions and they said to heat the pivot area & apply a drop (on top / bottom) work the blade back & forth a dozen times, then wipe away any excess.

Repeat on other side of knife. Supposed to put a permanent (?) friction-free micro-coating in there.
 
Absolutely serious. I'd never let 100% militec touch any of my guns or knives. Been there, done that, got the rust. Aside from not providing any protection by itself militec can form hydrochloric acid when it comes in contact with water, not good. Regardless of what the manufacturer says, it's correct use is as an oil additive, where in the right mix it can do alot of good, without the potential to cause corrosion. As a side benefit it's been my experience that it lubricates better when it's only at 20-30 % concentration.
 
Rem-Oil is about as good as it gets. It is a great lubricant and corrosion protective.

Gun/knife oils have three purposes: Lubrication, corrosion protection, and penetration. Some are better than others depending upon its intended purpose.

For corrosion resistance I use Camellia oil. For corrosion resistance and lubrication, Rem-Oil is great. For penetration there are many penetrating light oils to do the job.

Above all, for healthy knives, check them on a regular basis, or better yet: USE THEM.
 
I have been using Militec-1 for many years now. On my knives and on most of the Locks that I pin or service. I've been a Locksmith for the last 27 years. Since I first started to use Militec-1; I have not found any issues w/Militec-1 promoting rust or corrosion of any kind. In fact with padlocks and other exterior locking devices it does quite the opposite. Believe me, I have used many different kinds of lube. This is one lube that still works even when applied and then wiped off.
cziv:Heat will make it penetrate the assembled pivot much better. A hair dryer is enough heat to do what the manufacture wants. But heat is not essential. Just do as you have already said: apply a drop (on top / bottom) work the blade back & forth a dozen times, then wipe away any excess.
The Truth is; if metal (the pivot of a knife or the pins in a lock) is treated with Militec-1 first, all lubes applied after will work better. It would be like adding oil to a Teflon pan.
Believe it or not.
 
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yoda4561 - I respect that opinion and background information.

mendezj - I have never used anything but spray Rem-Oil on guns and knives and it's seriously good stuff.

Keyman - I read what you're saying about Militec-1, endorsed by Bill DeShivs who knows how to make a knife snap open!

Has anyone tried the "Quick Release" sold on Latama's site? They make some high end auto-knives? I ended up buying it too.

I'll probably try all of them on different knives and see how they do. I can always wash them out with lighter fluid (a great gunk cleaner) and go back to Rem-Oil :D
 
Just for the record, I doubt in normal use you will see rust caused by militec. Stored in a humid location is another matter. It tends to wash off easily, so if it's used outdoors it won't sit on the surface long enough to cause problems. I did have a problem with rust under some steel folder liners popping up after a few years of militec use, as well as embrittlement of plastic parts that militec came in contact with. It doesn't seem to have bothered nylon or other high tech polymers, but ABS and styrenes seem to be things to keep it away from.

Dug up an old test I did, keep meaning to update it with new products and better test methods but never got around to it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320032

With all those caveats, and militec working even better as a lube when diluted I see no reason to use it by itself personally. I've switched over to using Weaponshield CLP, which when broken down is just a lightweight synthetic base oil, an additive that's very similar to militec, some anti-corrosive additives, and a bit of cinnamon oil as a scent modifier. It's a great product, but you can get very similar results for folding knives just by mixing a bit of militec in with a more protective base oil.
 
Damn, I read that and the ultimate lubricant thread and in the end there's never any resolution!

My knives don't get wet. They stay in my office or my pocket. If I play around with them, I always wipe them down meticulously. I just wanted them to open as quickly and easily as possible.

Looks like I'll stay with Rem-Oil (I like it's smell) and look at my array of new lubricants - which I could have bought a deceent Benchmade or Spyderco knife with what I've shelled out! :barf:
 
I like Miltech a lot but do not trust it for rust protection. For me it works better if heated up by a hair dryer though. And lately I have been using Blue Lube by Benchmade and it seems to be the best Lube I have tried as it makes my folders fly open!

RKH
 
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