Powdered graphite for knives?

[fishbulb]

For a while I have been using a graphite dust product to lubricate things like door hinges and locks around the house. It seems to work pretty well, and does not attract lint like some liquids do. It's a bit of a hassle to apply, but its not too bad once you get the hang of it.

Is there a reason that I never hear of this sort of product being used on folders? I can't think of any reason not to, and I would like to try it out, but I would prefer not to ruin a knife in the process. Does anybody have any reccommendations or information on this sort of powdered lubricant?

 

[Paul Work]

It won't ruin your knife, but the stuff is very dirty.

Paul

 

[Don Rearic]

Scroll down in this thread till you see my post. Don't use that gunk in your locks, it's OK now, it won't be later when humidity has its way with the lock or if over years, you put more and more into it.

It is basically a scam and has been for years. Placing that in a mechanism where it has nowhere to go is not what you want to do.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176130

 

[TLM]

I could not find anywhere that graphite would be hydrophilic so I dont think it'll collect moisture. But corrosive it is in moist surroundings, it is right under silver on the electrochemical potential list meaning it's fairly 'noble', steel and especially Al has been known to corrode severely when in contact with graphite.

TLM

 

[RH]

Works great on the wheel hubs & axles of Pinewood Derby cars!

 

[Cougar Allen]

If you keep squirting graphite into a pin tumbler lock until it builds up and blocks or jams the pins so they can't move you're going to have a problem.... Even with a knife there's no reason to apply much of it; a tiny bit is sufficient.

Unlike oil graphite does nothing to prevent rust.

If rust isn't a problem a little graphite can work purely as a lubricant, but dry powdered teflon works better. I quit using graphite for anything since dry teflon sprays became available -- but that doesn't protect from rust either. When rust is a possibility you can use an oil containing teflon such as Break-Free or Rem-Oil -- the lubrication isn't as good as dry teflon but you can't have everything....

Whatever you use, use LITTLE of it! Oil it and then wipe off all the visible oil. You can't possibly wipe off all the oil no matter how you try; a film one molecule thick will always remain after wiping, and that's exactly what you want. Any more oil than that will just attract dust and gum up.