Oiling a knife for storage

stoffi said:
"food grade" mineral oil is a joke in itself
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It is not. You can eat it to help your bowels along :) and it beats any smelly petro-oils (although it is too derived from petrol) like 3in1 or Tuff especially if you will use the knife for food processing.
 
I've been thinking about coating all of my knives in Renaissance Wax and holding off on the oil all together (other than to lube the pivot) Do any of you guys do this?
 
I do on knives that don't commonly see frequent use. Those that I do use often I'll oil (usually with Ballistol since they're usually machetes or other large fixed blades since it has the handy aerosol can spray application) Some others, like my hay knife, I'll spray with a couple of layers of clear lacquer. Remember that the wax will wear off with use, so it's really best suited for long-term storage.
 
I use Renaissance wax on the knives that I don't use, and fluid film or some kind of clear lacquer on ones that I do.
 
Baine said:
I've been thinking about coating all of my knives in Renaissance Wax and holding off on the oil all together (other than to lube the pivot) Do any of you guys do this?
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I have and do use Ren Wax... however, why don't you go and try some car paste wax next time and see if it doesn't work just as well. A can of Johnson's paste wax would work also.

If for storage and there is no abrading going on, any commercial wax will work to protect your knives & guns.

Wrap it in some VCI paper if you really want to keep your carbon tools safe.
 
I just seal my unused knives in zip-loc bags, no oil, no rust. That way if I want, or need, to use one unexpectedly, I don't need to clean it off.
 
killgar said:
I just seal my unused knives in zip-loc bags, no oil, no rust. That way if I want, or need, to use one unexpectedly, I don't need to clean it off.
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That depends on where you live and how humid the air is. If you live in a high humidity area, you're just sealing moisture in there with your knives.
 
Breakfree CLP from any gun and most sporting goods stores. Cleans, Lubricates, Protects. Just a thin coating is needed. Not expensive. Then store the knife in a ziplock plastic bag.

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

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That FLUID FILM stuff is fantastic. I talked them out of a sample aerosol can a few years ago at a trade show. The State here uses it to coat the salt chutes & impellers on the salt spreading truck beds they use in the winter. It is funny stuff, goes on all fizzy and foamy then settles down to a thickish film and then over time solidifies into almost a waxy bearing grease consistency of a barrier. It will sure get into the nips and crannies. For a knife I would spray it into a bowl or somesuch and then apply with a cotton ball.
 
I use Breakfree CLP for all my knives and guns. For normal day use and long term storage.
It's never failed me.
 
This is used in museums for conservation. After a lengthy process, I use it to preserve fur trade era iron. About $12.00 a tin. Not bad really as it lasts a very long time.
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Renn wax or clear liquid silicone like the product sold by A.G.Russell. The silicone works great and dries looking like it's not there. Silicone wipe cloths like found in the gun cleaning section of stores are handy for quick wipedowns for storing for a couple of days. The renn wax micropolishes the steel and gets crud off you didn't know was there. It looks great on a nicely polished knife, stainless or carbon, blued or mirrored. They all look great. Liquid type application waxes are around for putting on rough surfaces, parkerized, scale left from heat treat, etc.

Whatever you decide to use make sure the steel is clean of anything that can start corrosion. A single fingerprint left for a few hours can be enough. Also, don't store in leather sheaths for long, or even overnight if put away wet.

Joe
 
hi, can you recommend a specific mineral oil - i keep finding laxatives, butcher block cleaners and aromatherapy carrier oils, are these all the same oil???

thanks
 
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The "laxative" mineral oil (Mineral Oil USP) is exactly what you're looking for. It's food-grade mineral oil without any additional additives. It's sold as a laxative because it passes through the body undigested.
 
Thanks dude. Cant seem to get it in chemists in the uk, tried 3 today, but seen some on amazon so will order it. Cheers for the info!
 
I'm a huge proponent of mineral oil for knife lubrication since I carry all my knives and love being able to slice up fruit, cheese, or other sundries without worrying about what might be getting into the food from my knife lubricant.

For long term storage though you might try a natural wax like beeswax.
 
my knives are pretty much in use, and always used 3 in one or choji from my sword kit - just always got that tang when using the knives for food no matter how much i wiped them. Only recently found out about the mineral oil!!

For long term sword storage I use Renaissance Wax, preffered it to beeswax, but thanks for the help - honestly, the stares i have had today in chemists and health food shops when i was asking for the oil - nice top get a helpful answer!

Cheers dude
 
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