Lubricating with graphite???

Indiana Joe

Indiana Joe

Joined
Sep 28, 2007
Messages
729
I've used folders and sharpened them for years. However, I have never taken my knives apart. Ever.

After using my Emerson Journeyman for a while, the blade got to be so off-center that it was touching the liner. I would tighten the pivot screw to bring the blade toward the center but opening the Journeyman became difficult. I'd read that, upon disassembling the knife, all I had to do was flip a washer over and the problem would be solved.

I took the knife apart, cleaned it, flipped the washer, and realized that I had no oil. So, I went into my son's Pinewood Derby stuff and got his graphite and applied it to the blade's pivot area as a substitute lubricant.

The centering issue is solved -- it worked! However, I am concerned about the graphite not lasting. Any comments? Suggestions? Shall I continue using the graphite or will a particular brand of oil work better & last longer?
 
It will do fine and if not there is lots of oil to pick from to help it along. It surely won't hurt anything.
 
Assuming graphite powder, the only major downside I've seen with it, is it can be somewhat messy to use and/or handle. Leaves dark smudges on whatever it touches (fingers, clothes, etc.). Might not be as much of an issue if it's used minimally, cleaning up whatever excess might be on the knife, so it won't rub off onto hands or clothing.


David
 
Thank you for the responses. Yes, I found the graphite powder to be a bit messy but it was good to use in a pinch. I want to use oil next time and I assume some brands are better than others? Any suggestions?
 
Everyone seems to have their own 'personal favorite.' But the fact is, just about any petroleum or silicon based oil will do the job for you. Some swear by WD-40, others by Mineral Oil, some say Hoppe's Gun Oil, while other insist on using Tuf-glide. And d'ya know what? They all work well! Unless you are using an automatic, or insist on nano-second measurements, even motor oil is going to work for you. Personally, I like ordinary urea grease, which when used sparingly, does the job for me. Some quote dust collection as a deterrent to certain lubes and they like the dry waxes such as 'White Lightning.' Just don't use vegetable oil, as it tends to get rancid and sticky.

Stitchawl
 
Thick oils like 3-in-1, gun oil, and motor oil in my experience gum-up the Acton and attract tons of dirt.

Benchmade blue lube has been my go-to for a few years, only ever needing a drop or two to make any knife noticeable smoother. I like to use the right tool for the job and sense they make knife lube....
 
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