Sewing machine oil?

[naggalowmo]

Hi,
I've been using sewing machine oil to lube the pivots of my knives because thats the only thing i have laying around the house. It works and makes my knives silky smooth, however when i wipe off the excess oil i notice that it comes out black. even after i clean the knife and oil it, black. Am i damaging the steel? i recall using polishing paste on metals and having it turn black because it removes a tiny bit of the surface. Im wondering if im doing the same thing with my knives.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

There may be better oils, but sewing machine oil will not hurt you knives.
Bill

 

[Gryffin]

I doubt thhe oil is doing anything adverse to your knives, it's just washing out the various oxides and gunk from the pivot area. You'll get that to some degree with any oil.

 

[naggalowmo]

thanks for the reply guys. i guess i will continue to use it since thats the only thing i have.

 

[Gryffin]

thanks for the reply guys. i guess i will continue to use it since thats the only thing i have.

A thought just occurred to me... if you're using enough oil to flush crap outta the joints, you're using too much oil. One drop is more than enough, if the joint is clean.