To oil the blade or not? that is the question...

B

Bandityo

Joined
May 6, 2000
Messages
324
I have a couple of knives, 440c, ats-34. I heard that its good to keep light oil on the blade, then someone from the swat team told me not to oil the blade? What is the correct suggestions..?
 
Oil can't hurt anything and it certainly can help. If you want something dry that may do the job for you, then consider a product called Tuf-Cloth. You wipe the blade with the cloth and the compound in the cloth dries on the blade to help protect it from rust and corrosion. It works quite well. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
I don't care that much for stainless blades, however, I have had a few 440-C & Ats-34 blades that I have never oiled and never had any problems with rust/corrosion. I just keep them clean and dry.
I use Tuff-cloth on all others.
 
I oil all of my blades. On knives that are put away as part of "The Collection", I oil all metal parts because I live in a fairly humid climate. I have noticed that "bead-blasted" blades are quick to develop tiny rust spots or discoloration on the blade when worn in the pocket or waistband. For example, I just started breaking in my CRK&T Kasper last week and already there are some telltale spots near the thumbstud. Occassional oiling seems to decrease this, however. Keep them clean, oiled, and sharp...that's my recommendation after 8 years of collecting.

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It is Us against Them. Whoever they are.
 
ATS-34 and 440 are both pretty rust-resistant. If you just keep 'em clean and dry, they should be fine. But, oiling is still a good idea for any knife you're going to be storing. Tuff Cloth is also a great product.

Bead-blasted finishes are expecially problematic. For long-term storage, the only solution for these is wax.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Knives, schmives - if it's made of metal (including stainless) a cleaned and lightly oiled coated blade (er .. pice of steel, even stainless) will preserve better.

Tuff cloth is fine, but after many years of fooling around in the outdoors, including years offshore fishing andliving in a shore area/humid climate, my philosphy is: if it's made of metal, it gets cleaned and lightly oiled. Belive ot or not, motor oil is what I use the most event though specific commercially available products adorn my benck, i.e. CLP Breakfree, Tuff Cloth, WD-40, Marine CRC and the like. Even #2 fuel oil (diesel) and jet fuel.kero are fine.

PS, "Stainless is not stainless, it merely stains less. Be guided accordingly.
 
Sorry, alomost forgot to mention, RIG (gunsmith supply) is also a good longer term rust inhibitin grease to coat things metal with.
 
Besides corrosion resistance, many coatings like Tuf-Cloth lubricate the surface and increase cutting ability. I can't think of any reason I wouldn't coat a blade except for food prep., and you can get oils that are safe to eat if this was a concern. Did the swat person tell you why you should not oil the blade?

-Cliff
 
One thing that I've found to work well is WD-40. I use it mainly to flush out and clean my folders, but have found that it is especially good for cleaning and protecting Chromium Nitride coated blades.

For example, I have an M-Socom-A and find that the CrN coating looks like crap when it gets all finger-printy. So, I simply sprayed a cloth with some WD and gave the blade a good wipe down with it, leaving a thin film of the goody on the blade. This I left to dry overnight, and the knife has looked great ever since.

The finish looks incredible when it is not all covered in prints and oils, and it seems to be more resistant to getting stained with handling. (I don't carry the Mini Socom, or use it to cut anything, so I can't vouch for the longevity of this treatment, but I've done this to all my folders in the interest of preservation...)

[This message has been edited by mr44 (edited 05-08-2000).]
 
I never use oil on most blades( I do use oil on parkerized blades and on hinges on folders)Mostly I use baby powder on the blades. in twenty-five years I've never picked up any rust on any knife that I use it on. It's pretty humid here in Oklahoma too.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
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