"Safe" Lubricant/Oil/Protectant for Injuries?!

S

stoffi

Joined
Jan 14, 2008
Messages
967
Hey y'all,

we're all into knives, sharpening, gear n' whatnot... but I don't see many threads regarding the flipside of our hobby: injuries. Since I couldn't find an answer to my pondering, I've got a quick question regarding lubricants:

What type of lubricant/oil/protectant will keep a blade protected against the elements yet still remain "safe" in the case of an injury? That is, if I cut myself, what oil would not cause an infection or poisoning whilst maintaining the ability to protect the blade?

I normally clean my blades thoroughly before use, in case I cut myself — to minimize the amount of contaminants that would enter my bloodstream. Odd question perhaps, but I'm hopin' some guru out there will accommodate my request.

bloodstream.jpg
 
I've always used mineral oil. It's cheap and a few drops accomplish a lot. People drink it as a laxative so I'm pretty sure a few drops in a cut wouldn't do much harm.
 
Oil? I use spit. Does that help?

Seriously though, you don't have anything to worry about. Because blood flows OUT of wounds, you won't have to worry about oil getting into your bloodstream. Just don't use anything like bleach, hydrochloric acid, or amonia, and you'll be fine.

I once stuck my hand into deisel engine oil, fresh from a running engine (VERY HOT) with several open wounds on my hand and didn't have any problems. (BTW, the reason I stuck my hand in there was I dropped the oil pan plug into the drain pan and had to grab it quick before the pan filled.)
 
Thank you for the answers! After reading up on mineral oil I've decided that I'll try it.

Sidecutter, trust me... I've got plenty as it is.
 
Honestly...the places my knife goes (including my pocket next to my cash), I think the lube is the least of my infection concerns.

Besides, I think my immune system needs a good workout once in a while to keep it in shape.
 
I'm not trying to flame anyone here but I really don't think this is anything to worry that much about unless you're accidentally stabbing yourself in the torso... srsly.
 
Best thing for a wound is to let it bleed a bit. Let your body-machine take care of it naturally and then follow-up with proper cleaning and bandaging.

I wouldn't use any lubricant that would naturally carry germs into the body, so food-grade oils may be a negative. Petroleum-based may be better in this instance, however, this is getting way beyond what you need to consider for first aid.

Unless you have hemophilia, leprosy or AIDS where any cut or nick can lead to terminal infection, it really isn't that big of a deal. It'll either be the wound itself that'll kill ya', or you can just clean it and keep it properly bandaged.
 
You have nothing to worry about as far as poisoning from a cut from 3in1, WD-40, etc. It would take a lot of it to do any damage if you just happened to drink it. I don't reccomend injecting it into your veins but the residue on a knife blade won't do you any harm. It might smell bad if you don't dry it off enough and you get it on your hands but that's about it. I chopped the tip of my thumb off with a dirty, WD-40 soaked, rusty hatchet last year and it never even got infected. I say just use whatever's cheapest, most effective, and readily available.
 
stoffi said:
Hey y'all,

we're all into knives, sharpening, gear n' whatnot... but I don't see many threads regarding the flipside of our hobby: injuries. Since I couldn't find an answer to my pondering, I've got a quick question regarding lubricants:

...
Click to expand...

I see no necessity that those who carry knives should be injured. I've carried and used pocket knives for almost 50 years and as for me, I've had more injuries riding a bicycle than using my knives.

That being said, none of the common lubricants used on knives is particularly toxic.
 
thompsonblades said:
Oil? I use spit. Does that help?

Seriously though, you don't have anything to worry about. Because blood flows OUT of wounds, you won't have to worry about oil getting into your bloodstream. Just don't use anything like bleach, hydrochloric acid, or amonia, and you'll be fine.

I once stuck my hand into deisel engine oil, fresh from a running engine (VERY HOT) with several open wounds on my hand and didn't have any problems. (BTW, the reason I stuck my hand in there was I dropped the oil pan plug into the drain pan and had to grab it quick before the pan filled.)
Click to expand...

I am an EMT, the amount of damage that you would have to do too yourself to get an amount of oil that would do damage into your blood stream.... Well let’s just say that you would have bigger problems than what type of oil you used. Not to mention the amount of oil that it would take, a drop on the blade and action is so miniscule. I suppose if you cut yourself everyday for a few years you may have a problem, but the occasional slip won't matter much.
 
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