The Ultimate Lubricant Thread

Mamba, I read the whole MSDS of my CRC 2-26, which I'm guessing you did not. It is classified as an irritant, and I quote: "This product may only have the potential to cause adverse health effects if intentionally misused (eg. deliberately inhaling contents.)"

It sounds like you are just summarizing the WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO for each and every lubricant. If I were to intentionally inhale the stuff, it may only have the potential to cause adverse health effects. I'm using the lubricant to lube my knife pivots. That's not intentional misuse, I'm using the product purely for what it was designed for. I'm not inhaling the stuff, or as you say "quaffing" :jerkit:

I think you're just a bit too paranoid. There is a very big difference between spraying lube on a knife pivot for half of a second and spraying it in the air and inhaling deeply. Just because it could happen doesn't mean the lube is unsafe. It means you have to be careful for the half second you use it.

Gotta love how the ingredients you listed were from the 20 litre size, and not the 150 gram aerosol can that I am using. Mine contains 30-60% of the petroleum distillate, not more than 60%.
 
JCaswell, as I said, the ATSDR Information Center webpage states that Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a nonflammable, colorless liquid with a somewhat sweet odor and a sweet, burning taste. Breakfree has that sweet odor. It may not contain TCE, but you can bet it has a similar halogenated solvent.

Be that as it may, we do know that Breakfree is designed to deposit a fine coating of Teflon as it is applied to the metal surface. So there's the perfluorooctanoate hazard too. Enjoy.
 
I think CRCs site may be outdated. I read the MSDS found on the reverse side of the labelling on my can of CRC 2-26, and the ingredients are: Petroleum distollate, 60-70%; Inhibited Paraffinic; oil, 25-35%; and Carbon Dioxide, 3-6% (it's an aerosol can.)

No glycol ethers. They either improved it, and I have the improved version which they did not update on their website, or I have an older version before they added glycol ethers to it, and their website is correct. Either way, my can claims that it does not contain any glycol ethers.
 
rifon2 said:
On your suggestion, I'll try A.G. Russell RustFree again. I tried it once on a nice carbon steel slipjoint and it left the blade kind of tacky (sticky). Used only a tiny bit like A.G. says.
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The same thing happens if you spray a metal surface with silicone spray until it pools. The solvent evaporates and you're left with a sticky residue. The way to prevent that is to wipe the surface with a paper towel so that the the thinnest of coats is left, almost invisible.

In any case, be assured that the "sticky" silicone will not attract dirt the way oil does,

I'll look back at your posts on this thread, but
is RustFree completely non toxic? (Doesn't say so on the bottle.)
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Yes, it is. That's why there are no precautions and warnings on the bottle :)
 
Has anyone tried Super Lube? Its a grease with teflon in it.
I've tried it on one knife and I think I'll be using this from now on. MUCH better than WD-40 and sewing machine oil. My knives are as smooth as they ever have been.
 
While we are on the subject of the dangers of unreported chemicals in the things that we eat and drink, I'd like to draw everyones' attention to the dangers of dihydrogen oxide. You've been warned, this stuff is in your water.

From the Sigma Aldrich MSDS For Dihydrogen Oxide

"Substance Name: Dihydrogen Oxide
CAS #: 7732-18-5

Toxicological Effects
May cause skin irritation.
May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
May cause eye irritation.
May be harmful if inhaled.
Material may be irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
May be harmful if swallowed.

First Aid measures
If swallowed, wash mouth out with water provided person is conscious. Call a physician
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing becomes difficult call a physician.
In case of contact, immediately wash skin with soap and copious amounts of water.
In case of contact with eyes, flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Assure adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers. Call a physician."

Oh, it's in bottled water too.

MSDS are legal documents intended to provide important safety information, but also to cover the collective backsides of chemical manufacturers. While the information contained is technically accurate, one should excersize some judgement before enciting a panic over the potential consumption hazards of water.
 
hlee said:
While we are on the subject of the dangers of unreported chemicals in the things that we eat and drink, I'd like to draw everyones' attention to the dangers of dihydrogen oxide. You've been warned, this stuff is in your water.

From the Sigma Aldrich MSDS For Dihydrogen Oxide

"Substance Name: Dihydrogen Oxide
CAS #: 7732-18-5

Toxicological Effects
May cause skin irritation.
May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
May cause eye irritation.
May be harmful if inhaled.
Material may be irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
May be harmful if swallowed.

First Aid measures
If swallowed, wash mouth out with water provided person is conscious. Call a physician
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing becomes difficult call a physician.
In case of contact, immediately wash skin with soap and copious amounts of water.
In case of contact with eyes, flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Assure adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers. Call a physician."

Oh, it's in bottled water too.

MSDS are legal documents intended to provide important safety information, but also to cover the collective backsides of chemical manufacturers. While the information contained is technically accurate, one should excersize some judgement before enciting a panic over the potential consumption hazards of water.
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water - - -
 
Ok, the amount of trichloroethylene (TCE) in your lube is at MOST 50%. with nothing else toxic. with a 3 in. by 1 in. by 3\16in. blade you have an area of <6.32 in.sq. with a coat about .0002-.00008 in. thick. if ALL the lube comes off in your food, 3 times a day,every day, it would take about 2-10 months to fill in this perod (.). a dangerus concentration is about the size of this zero (0) it would take 50 years to get to.(this is based on my math and info off the internet.)
 
I remember handling quantities of mercury as a kid. People walk around every day with lead bullets in them. Mercury was (and still is) a major component of any dental filling containing silver. Aerosol sprays contain CFCs. Most of this stuff won't make you sick, let alone kill you.
I understand being cautious, but unless you are wiping your blades with cyanide, It's really nothing to worry about.
Bill
 
Yeah, that was the point I was trying to bring up back before this thread was resurrected. There is a huge difference between deeply inhaling the spray from an aerosol can, and using it for less than a quarter of a second to lube your knife.
 
Well, I like to use WD-40 for the following reasons and purposes:

Lube
When something is stuck, the best way to unstick it is WD-40. It's slicker than a used car salesman covered in vasalene and is capable of wiping out scum and filfth with thirteen and a half times the efficiency of Chuck Norris.

Men's Fragrance
Trust me, women find nothing sexier than the smell of WD-40. Before going to work, clubbing, or a steamy session with your favorite escort, be sure cover up that nasty BO with nice, thick coat of penetrating oil - guaranteed, just like the name infers, to maximize penetration.

Combustable Entertainment
And I quote - "DANGER: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE. HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN."

Need I say more?

On a more serious note, I find wd-40 to be acceptable for rust prevention (I havent tested it too much in this area), lubrication (from my experience it works better than mineral oil, silicon, silicone, graffite, teflon spray, and grease, but I cant speak for any of the other lubes mentioned), and cleans very well. It does attract dust, but the dust never seems to get into the pivot area or effect the motion of the knife (no gritty sound), it just seems to linger outside.
 
Coldwood said:
All seriousness aside, I would recommend olive oil for wiping a blade before cutting food. It is non-allergenic, unlike peanut oil, it is the only oil that can be eaten as a food and it is good for your heart. Some knifemakers even quench their blades in it.
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definetly a good idea!

i used a tuff-cloth but didnt like it, now i usually use Rem-oil (mostly for guns but ill use it on knives if i run out of other stuff) and Break Free CLP, it will get just about anything off the blade, it safe on striders tiger stripe finish and smells pretty good too.
 
TCE is merely a carrier for the chemical lubricants. Without it they would not be in liquid form. It evaporates completely to let the lubes dry out to form a protective coating. It also cleans the blade for the application of the lubricant. Massive amounts of fumes are needed to cause health problems. If you think that everything that smells funny is going to kill you may as well stop breathing, which I hear may cause health problems also.
 
darkestthicket said:
definetly a good idea!

i used a tuff-cloth but didnt like it, now i usually use Rem-oil (mostly for guns but ill use it on knives if i run out of other stuff) and Break Free CLP, it will get just about anything off the blade, it safe on striders tiger stripe finish and smells pretty good too.
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Wondering what you didn't like about Tuf-Cloth?
 
Goldangit, it's that pansy attitude that makes it impossible for me to kill a dang bug anymore without smashing them with my boot. I remember the good old days when i could buy stuff that would kill spiders and bees - the crap they sell now only pisses off a spider. Seriously, I think there are a lot bigger threats to your health and well being than whats in your 2 oz tube of lubricant.
 
best stuff I've seen for spiders is that citrus air freshener they sell at some auto parts stores and walmart. It's not just citrus scented, it's like pure citrus oil, drops even the big spiders in one spray.
 
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