Oil or grease on a lockblade folder?

[duller]

I've read an adage to use oil on rotating parts and grease on sliding parts.

For knives, light grease and oil. SAE 10 or 15 oil and 0 or 1 NGLI grease. Synthetic oils and greases are available and should last a very long time.

Do forum experts ever put a drop of oil or speck of grease on that part of the blade that slides under the lock? I don't know the name of that section of the blade, so I must phrase it that poorly. On my folders it is accessible at the end, between the handles.

From the looks of my folders, the axle is not accessible w/o a tear down. Which I don't care to do.

A toothpick would put one small drop or dab in the right place. Opening and closing a few times would spread it around.

Is this done?

Do you prefer oil or grease?

Ever use ATF? Valvoline Dexron VI is fully synthetic and has a strong anti-corrosion anti-wear package. Made to last a LONG time. It is around SAE 15, I think. And no carcinogenic benzene like motor oils. Price is right, too, at $6.99 a quart at local auto parts stores.

All that asked, I'd guess this is a "less is more" type application as a bit too much and you have a lint, dust, and sand magnet. Which is another reason why I ask.

 

[ctk123]

A lot of times this comes down to personal preference. Try out some different things and see what you like the best. Some people never lube the lock bar, or locking interface.

Myself, I like TUFF-GLIDE. It is a dry lubricant suspended in mineral spirits. you apply it with a needle-like applicator (good for getting to those hard to reach pivots), and after a while the mineral spirits evaporate, leaving behind the dry lubricant. This doesn't trap dust or dirt like oils or greases, and to clean the pivot it just takes a couple blasts of compressed air.

 

[Emerald]

ctk123 - you're right on the money. Sentry Solutions makes a kit for this. It's a very refined and highy regarded group of products. I use it for my guns and knives. Tuff-Glide is the core of their line. Great suff.

http://www.sentrysolutions.com/

 

[snorkem]

i just switched to TW25B grease, it is truly the best lube ive ever used on my knives. i was using rem oil, and it would not last long, i barely use my knives and after 1 month the action gets a little gritty. I ordered this, disassembled my knife(kershaw tyrade) put the grease on and put it back together. The difference is enormous. it slides out smoother then ever before, and it doesn't slow the action at all.

 

[stitchawl]

I also switched to grease. I use Tuf-Glide and its cloth, Tuf-Cloth, as blade protectors, but I use urea grease for the pivots. I like a loose axis lock so that the blade can swing out on it's own if needed, once the lock is pulled back, and grease keeps this happening for a year or more without needing to re-lube. You have to be very careful not to use too much of the stuff or you will begin to attract dust and grime, but if used right, works great!

Stitchawl