Recommendation? Knife Lubricant

B

BadWolfe

Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
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So, I'm a terrible knife owner and literally never do any cleaning/lubrication. I've always kept my knives sharp, but never really thought about cleaning them until this weekend when I had to use my EDC Spyderco Efficient to cut up 30-40 boxes that had mildew/mold from when my in-laws' basement flooded. I jokingly told my wife "I'm gonna need a new toothpick!" but that got me thinking about cleaning it up.

So anyway, I've looked around and seen that soap and water with an old toothbrush is fine for cleaning. So now my question is what kind of lube to use? I have some speedcube lubricant which is basically the same as lube for RC cars, I believe it's silicone based because I know petroleum-based lubes are not used for speedcubes since it can erode the plastic. So is that good enough to use on a knife? Or should I invest in a lube specifically made for folding knives?
 
Avoid expensive lubes. Nano oil is expensive snake oil that's just mineral oil.

Would go with what alot of people are liking now "knife pivot lube" otherwise mineral oil works well and it's even cheaper.

Your lube could work. Try it out and see

Just remember the more lube you use the more it attracts dust and debre.
Use sparingly
 
BadWolfe said:
So, I'm a terrible knife owner and literally never do any cleaning/lubrication. I've always kept my knives sharp, but never really thought about cleaning them until this weekend when I had to use my EDC Spyderco Efficient to cut up 30-40 boxes that had mildew/mold from when my in-laws' basement flooded. I jokingly told my wife "I'm gonna need a new toothpick!" but that got me thinking about cleaning it up.

So anyway, I've looked around and seen that soap and water with an old toothbrush is fine for cleaning. So now my question is what kind of lube to use? I have some speedcube lubricant which is basically the same as lube for RC cars, I believe it's silicone based because I know petroleum-based lubes are not used for speedcubes since it can erode the plastic. So is that good enough to use on a knife? Or should I invest in a lube specifically made for folding knives?
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I lube knives with the same frequency I lube door hinges (which is to say, very rarely) and for the same reasons, if it's squeaking or sticking. Other than that, a knife really doesn't need lube. Lubricants are largely to avoid heat buildup from friction, so unless you're opening and closing your knife really, really, really fast it's totally unnecessary.
 
Wow, fast responses! Thanks guys :thumbsup:

I think I'll start by trying my lube, since I already have it. Worst case scenario if it destroys my knife at least it's not a super expensive knife to replace. I'll look into those other options for future use though, since they're probably better than what I have if they're made specifically for knives.
 
Mo2 said:
Just remember the more lube you use the more it attracts dust and debre.
Use sparingly
Click to expand...

This. Definitely this.

Before knives I was into guns. I had some Militec in a small dropper, and just began using that on knives just because it was convenient and as good as anything. It works well, but whether it works better than mineral oil, or Ballistol, or even Mobil 1 or 3-in-1 oil, could be debated from now till the end of time. Ultimately, it probably matters very little, apart from the fact that mineral oil is food safe so if you're using your folders to cut food, you might want to consider that.
 
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If you're the type to gunk up your knives and wash them out on a frequent basis, you're gonna need a pivot lube of some sort. I know Tuf-Glide isn't for everyone, but I like it because it's thin, penetrates well, dries up over time which delays the pocket lint build up, and when dry, provides slick mating surfaces and a corrosion-resistant surface.
 
19-3ben said:
Ultimately, it probably matters very little, apart from the fact that mineral oil is food safe so if you're using your folders to cut food, you might want to consider that.
Click to expand...

Huh, I never thought of that. Guess it's a good idea to use mineral oil on my nice EDC knife just in case, I've been known to cut am apple or things like that before. Usually my knives are really just for tearing down boxes, opening packages, cutting tags off things, etc, but it put in some good work this weekend. Ended up cutting into an old mattress that didn't have handles, and a bunch of other uses I never would have thought of.
 
Some factories say NO , as lubes attract dirt and grit .If you really need to first clean then lightly lube .some makers sell a lube , use that.
 
I like benchmades products. I use the cleaner on the bearings and anywhere there’s crud built up and either the blue lube or nano oil (10 weight) before putting it back together. The nano oil was a little expensive but it works good and they give you enough to oil probably 100 knives if not more.
Edit: just bought some of the new Kershaw knife lube but haven’t tried it out yet.
 
Mo2 said:
Avoid expensive lubes. Nano oil is expensive snake oil that's just mineral oil.
Click to expand...

I understand there’s controversy because of the claims of the maker of nano oil, but do you have any actual information proving that it’s just mineral oil? I’d be interested in reading it.
 
If you use your knife for cutting food, use mineral oil. Use something you wouldn't mind possibly getting on what you eat.
 
I use Tuf-Glide on folders that won't be used in contact with food ... mineral oil on fixed blades ... Rem Oil in a pinch works well on folders also and attracts less dust than many ... but Tuf-Glude a tiny drop is all you need.
 
I figure with the kind of light use my knives get, they won't pick up too much gunk if I start cleaning them regularly. Maybe I'll just have to take the first Saturday of the month as knife cleaning day. I'm thinking mineral oil just on the off chance that I need to cut something food-related, but I'll definitely keep those other options in mind for stuff I know won't go near food (like my old beaters that don't get carried much unless I know I'm gonna be working them hard). Thanks again!
 
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