Super dumb question about storage of polish and oils

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
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Hi guys,

This mostly relates to metal polish storage but could to oils as well as I store them too...

This question may reveal me as some paranoid worrier when it comes to my knives but, oh well.

So, I like to store a lot of maintenance equipment with my collection, I have trays and such that are handy for holding them and consolidating them well, which is great for me since I use a cane and might need to move this stuff with one hand. Anyway, I've recently begun to wonder, is it okay to store stuff such as the metal polish long term? It goes along with sharpening and other stuff I use for knife upkeep, and of course it's stuff like Fitz that come in their plastic tubes and such. I'm just wondering if there's anything about the polish that might make it not okay to store long term. I'll need it eventually but I have a couple extra tubes stored with other equipment.

At the risk of sounding extremely dense, is there anything in typical metal polish or natural oils like that, that might cause it to change over time, in such a way that it could bloat, expand, or otherwise leak from the tubes onto my other stuff? I'd just like to make sure all my other stuff with it is safe, the bulk of what I don't EDC regularly is in storage for very long periods and doesn't come out often unless I get the urge to rotate some EDCs, so I'm not constantly looking at it, etc.

Thanks everyone.
 
Most metal polishes are in a liquid suspension of some sort, to keep them at a 'paste' consistency. Often petroleum-based, or maybe with some sort of ammonia-based solvent (they often smell like it). Really old tubes of polish might dry out a bit over time, BUT the abrasive in them essentially never goes bad. If it's still possible to squeeze it out of it's tube or whatever container it's in, it'll still work just as well.

Oils, solvents and other such stuff are a toss-up. If their containers get too warm, I've noticed they might leak at times. More so, if the containers are stored on their side (maybe a small bottle of oil in a toolbox, for example). I'd store all of these somewhere that can tolerate some leaks and also doesn't get too warm. I've learned to absolutely HATE the tiny bottles or tubes of oil (usually light mineral oil) that come with electric razors or hair clippers, or fishing reels. They always seem to leak and make a mess wherever they happen to be stashed.

I wouldn't worry about any of the polishes or petro-based oils or solvents spoiling, for the most part. Mineral oil, for example, will seemingly last forever in storage. Food-based oils (olive oil, cooking oil, etc.) will usually go rancid over time, but that usually only affects their flavor and/or odor. They might also get somewhat acidic, as the natural sugars in them break down. I wouldn't use these for lubing knives at all, fresh or not.


David
 
Don't let compounds get below freezing and you should be fine.

Some compounds have organic material in them so over time they can grow mold, it's some thing I've mainly seen with my automotive polishes (professional grade 3M perfect-it).
 
Thanks David,

The only oils I currently use are mineral oils, good to know they seem to last pretty much long as you need them. For polish I have Fitz and a couple tubes of stuff from United Cutlery. The Fitz is in use and the UC tubes are the ones in storage right now.

Long as I know they can't leak all over the other stuff I keep them with, I'm good to go.

Totally hear you on those tiny bottles, same issue with me. I don't store any of that stuff.

Obsessed with Edges said:
Most metal polishes are in a liquid suspension of some sort, to keep them at a 'paste' consistency. Often petroleum-based, or maybe with some sort of ammonia-based solvent (they often smell like it). Really old tubes of polish might dry out a bit over time, BUT the abrasive in them essentially never goes bad. If it's still possible to squeeze it out of it's tube or whatever container it's in, it'll still work just as well.

Oils, solvents and other such stuff are a toss-up. If their containers get too warm, I've noticed they might leak at times. More so, if the containers are stored on their side (maybe a small bottle of oil in a toolbox, for example). I'd store all of these somewhere that can tolerate some leaks and also doesn't get too warm. I've learned to absolutely HATE the tiny bottles or tubes of oil (usually light mineral oil) that come with electric razors or hair clippers, or fishing reels. They always seem to leak and make a mess wherever they happen to be stashed.

I wouldn't worry about any of the polishes or petro-based oils or solvents spoiling, for the most part. Mineral oil, for example, will seemingly last forever in storage. Food-based oils (olive oil, cooking oil, etc.) will usually go rancid over time, but that usually only affects their flavor and/or odor. They might also get somewhat acidic, as the natural sugars in them break down. I wouldn't use these for lubing knives at all, fresh or not.


David
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Jason!

My current polishes are a tube of Fitz and a couple tubes from United Cutlery that were just in the store one day that I decided to grab as back-ups, those are the ones currently being stored.
 
RedLynx said:
Thanks David,

The only oils I currently use are mineral oils, good to know they seem to last pretty much long as you need them. For polish I have Fitz and a couple tubes of stuff from United Cutlery. The Fitz is in use and the UC tubes are the ones in storage right now.

Long as I know they can't leak all over the other stuff I keep them with, I'm good to go.

Totally hear you on those tiny bottles, same issue with me. I don't store any of that stuff.
Click to expand...

I have an older tube of 'METAL GLO' polish (paste is pink and smells of ammonia; the brand is currently marketed by United Cutlery), which was on my mind when making my earlier post. I think I bought it back in the '90s; it's a little 'crusty' near the mouth of the tube, but otherwise has held up fine. Incidentally, it seems to be identical to Simichrome, so far as I can tell. Both are sourced from Germany; my tube of METAL GLO is marked as 'Made in West Germany', which should give some idea as to how old it is. ;)


David
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
I have an older tube of 'METAL GLO' polish (paste is pink and smells of ammonia; the brand is currently marketed by United Cutlery), which was on my mind when making my earlier post. I think I bought it back in the '90s; it's a little 'crusty' near the mouth of the tube, but otherwise has held up fine. Incidentally, it seems to be identical to Simichrome, so far as I can tell. Both are sourced from Germany; my tube of METAL GLO is marked as 'Made in West Germany', which should give some idea as to how old it is. ;)

David
Click to expand...

Now you mention it I think the stuff I have is indeed Metal Glo, I'm going to check tonight. ;) Thanks for the reassurance and the checking!
 
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