Recommendation? Oiled wipedown rag

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May 10, 2012
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What do you guys use to wipe down an axe after using it out in the woods?

I'm looking for some kind of oil to soak a rag in, to keep in a Ziploc baggy, so that I can give my axe a quick wipe after doing messier work out in the woods when I'm camping.
 
I melt 1 part bees wax in 4 parts mineral oil, let cool to a paste. Can use it on anything from cutting boards to boots to oil cloth to tools etc.
 
I use mineral oil on a rag-in-a-bag. The mineral oil is the food-grade kind (found fairly inexpensive in pharmacies) in case I want to oil a knife that I later cut food with, and for environmental reasons.

However, I want to upgrade to a rag-in-a-can oiler like this one:

23030722_1464476120339185_1017251956_o.jpg

from http://www.traditional-tools.com/my-version-of-paul-sellers-rag-in-a-can-oiler/
 
I use mineral oil on a rag-in-a-bag. The mineral oil is the food-grade kind (found fairly inexpensive in pharmacies) in case I want to oil a knife that I later cut food with, and for environmental reasons.

However, I want to upgrade to a rag-in-a-can oiler like this one:

23030722_1464476120339185_1017251956_o.jpg

from http://www.traditional-tools.com/my-version-of-paul-sellers-rag-in-a-can-oiler/

Oh My.
I want that rag in a can too.

I happen to use a mineral spirit / BLO 3:1 mix for a wipe and protect.

I should add...Head only, after a sticky use. Wood is always BLO only for me.
Thanks JB for pointing that out
 
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I have not done this, and BLO is still my choice for treating wood. But if I wanted to clean and protect, I may use Ballistol.
 
Mineral oil keeps my carbon steel rust free.

Axes, hammers, knives, pliers, and everything in between.
 
On the handles I'm rubbing them down after use with raw unwashed sheep's wool. The axe heads I have been the whole time oiling them with camilla oil from an applicator similar in principle to what Steve Tall has shown, but because I wont want to go rubbing my edge with a metal can I have used a length of bamboo like the old Japanese do it for a container holding the rolled-up rag.
 
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In a pinch chapstick will do fine. It already comes in a tiny 'can' that fits in your pocket.
 
I use olive oil on knives sometimes, and lately I've been using sno seal on my axes, as I have a can and it smells like it must just be bees wax and some kind of mineral oil.
 
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