Use of Oil In Maintaining Blades

[WileECoyote]

Hi all!

Hope this isn't a lame topic or already done too many times...In the old days I use to take an oily rag to blades routinely. Is this unnecessary with all the new steels out there? Do you ever lightly oil the pivot on folders, and does this attract dust & debris? I don't use oil on my sharpening stones, clean some with water, so will a slight coating of oil on the blade mess up my stones?

In a nutshell: which blades do you oil, how often & why?

Thanks all!

WileECoyote

 

[WadeF]

I wipe down some of my blades with a Tuff Cloth which helps prevent rusting if they aren't known for being completely stainless, like M2 and other non-stainless steels. I lube all my pivots and clean them from time to time. I like Tuff Glide and Militec-1. Tuff Glide will dry up and doesn't attract as much lint as Militec-1 would, but Militec-1 makes my pivots so smooth I can't help but to use it.

 

[WileECoyote]

I'll check those out, thanks! I've been using a 3-in-1 type on like 1095 which seems to beg for it. My guess is that the ATS-34 won't need it, but I guess I can always wait & see any signs.

You live like 1/2 hour from me, Pennsyltucky rules, minimal blade laws!

Peace, bro!

WileECoyote

 

[Gollnick]

A thin coat of oil prevents rust.

Some modern alloys are highly rust-resistant. But, in general, alloys that take and retain the best edge remain succeptible to rust.

A thin coat of oil has the advantage of remaining liquid so that if it's rubbed off od a small area, it will flow back into that area. But, a thin coat of oil has the disadvantage of remaining liquid which means A) it's messy, and B) it can flow off of the blade entirely over a long time.

For long-term storage, the best rust preventative is generally-considered to be wax such as Ren Wax.