Vaseline for protecting carbon steel against rust?

A

Andy_CN

Joined
Jun 19, 2006
Messages
128
Is it possible to use Vaseline to protect carbon blades against rust?
Or does Vaseline have any negative side-effects on the steel or the
black coating?

Thanks in advance for all helpful advices and information :)
 
It's not great.

Many better choices out there, including food grade mineral oil.

(Do they have that over where you are?)

There are a load of good threads on this topic here at BF. Try doing a search for "rust" or "corrosion". :)
 
ISTR vaseline (petroleum jelly) is basically thick mineral oil (or thin parrafin). Unless it has some unusual additive, it'd probably be OK. Thinner, more runny substances may be metter at getting into small spaces, but they may be also just as good at running out of those places, and have higher rate of evaporation. Being a petroleum product, either substance can attack some kinds of rubber and plastics, and possibly some painted surfaces.
 
shecky said:
ISTR vaseline (petroleum jelly) is basically thick mineral oil (or thin parrafin). Unless it has some unusual additive, it'd probably be OK. Thinner, more runny substances may be metter at getting into small spaces, but they may be also just as good at running out of those places, and have higher rate of evaporation. Being a petroleum product, either substance can attack some kinds of rubber and plastics, and possibly some painted surfaces.
Click to expand...


Though they are both petroleum distillates, of course, I'd respectfully disagree with shecky about their utility as corrosion protectants. I'd go with the mineral oil...

but take a look around and see what others say; a lot's been written here on this topic

---------

I use FP-10 and/or Tuf-Glide on my carbon steel blades which do not come in contact with food; personally I think they're tops

--------

www.agrussell.com sells a silicone product called RustFree which is also very good; non petroleum based
 
I don't think that I would like to use Vaseline. Too sticky, it would pick up grit and grime and be a real mess. If you plan on eating what the knife is used on, I'd pick the food grade mineral oil. Otherwise, any quality oil such as a gun oil will work just fine. A thin film smeared on will be enough, no need for a heavy liquid coating. Ballistol works pretty good. Clenzoil, WD40, Corrosion X, Birchwood Casey Sheath, Butches Gun Oil, Hoppes Lubricating Oil, are all available here in the USA and work very well, but I have no idea what brands of gun oils are available over there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top