Wd-40

L

LittleRex

Joined
Apr 6, 2006
Messages
34
I heard a while back that repeated use of WD-40 could cause corrosion in some metals. I've been using it on some of my knives whenever they start to get stiff in the pivots. Has anyone else head this? Should I stop using it and if so what should I use a replacement.
 
WD-40 was developed as a water displacement, hence the WD. This means that it was meant to be sprayed in guns or other equipment and push the water out. As a side effect WD-40 doesn't last as long or provide as much rust protection as a light oil or metal treatment (such as Miltec-1) since is made of mostly kerosene.
 
I've also had really good results from Militec-1. and would recommend it. I've also been using Lucas Gun Oil as it doesn't have a strong odor like Militec-1 does. The Lucas Oil seems to do a pretty good job.
 
No, WD-40 will not cause rust or corrosion. It's not a bad product for light lubrication and rust protection, but in my opinion there are better products that are easily available, Militec-1 for example. I use that and I like CorrosionX (spelled like that) to prevent rust. Both of these companies should send you small samples if you ask them politely.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

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I have had wd-40 cause small pits in d-2 overnight in the shop. It has only happened twice over the years. And I used it for many years. Somthing must have gone wrong with the batch of wd-40. I no longer use it. Mike
 
It is my firm belief that WD40 is a solvent (kerosene), and not a lubricant. Nearly any oil (automotive or houshold) would be better, but the lubricants designed for firearms are excellent choices. Miltec-1 goes a step beyond, and you can't go wrong with this excellent product. WD40 is good for drying metal, or for cleaning or freeing up corroded parts, but make no mistake, it is not a lubricant any more than water is.

Frank
 
Wow, thanks for all the responses. It looks like I'll be switching to Miltec-1, with so many people recommending it :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
WD-40 is a solvent. And a lubricant.

The stuff is subject to much lore, but the fact is that WD-40 is mostly solvent with some mineral oil added. There's really nothing particularly special or harmful about it.

In general, I feel if your knife's pivots need oil, you really are playing with it too much. Any wet lubricant will attract foreign matter and the result will be gunked up joints, necessitating additional cleaning and care even when they get little use. I find running them dry is usually the best bet.
 
shecky said:
WD-40 is a solvent. And a lubricant.

The stuff is subject to much lore, but the fact is that WD-40 is mostly solvent with some mineral oil added. There's really nothing particularly special or harmful about it.

In general, I feel if your knife's pivots need oil, you really are playing with it too much. Any wet lubricant will attract foreign matter and the result will be gunked up joints, necessitating additional cleaning and care even when they get little use. I find running them dry is usually the best bet.
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No sir, WD40 is not a lubricant. It is a blend of kerosene-like solvents and high viscosity oils containing water displacing compounds. Once the solvent evaporates, the remainder is a thick gooey material that is designed to form a film to prevent water from reaching the surface being protected. That barrier against water is its primary anti-corrosion mechanism. Rust is a chemical reaction and requires water as one of the reactants. If you remove the water and prevent more from reaching the surface, the reaction is in inhibited to the extent that your barrier is effective. WD-40 does not lubricate once the solvent evaporates.

But I agree with you that in general pivots do not need oil. I never oil mine and have no problems. But I mostly carry lockbacks and have no interest in being able to flick open a blade so YMMV on whether you need to lubricat the pivot.
 
I never use WD-40 for anything because I know it's history !! Originally the company did not develop it, nor make it , nor package it !! They only marketed it. Originally it was just a penetrant ,nothing else. As those things go it was recommended for everything ! Those who used it on steel guns , tools etc soon found their items rusting !! There were so many complaints they changed the formula !! Whatever you use it for there's something on the market that is better...As for 3 in 1 oil it is the worst oil I've ever seen .It had no antioxidents and would quickly form a varnish. When I repaired guns I would always know if 3 in 1 was used because of this .Some I couldn't even take apart because of the varnish. 3 in 1 is now owned by WD-40 , they make a wonderfull couple !
 
Hi Mete,
I'd be interested in your history source. Your comments do not match anything that I've heard or read. But we all know the power of advertising. If Rocket
Chemical did not invent the goop, who did?

I've heard for years that the first major use was to protect Atlas rocket parts from corrosion. (by displacing water and forming a thin protective layer.)

I'd be interested in hearing another version of the story.

Thanks
 
I have used WD 40 in my endeavors ( gunsmithing, knifemaking, jewelry, engraving, as a steam & refrigeration engineer, and a professional knife restorer) for almost 40 years. I even used it on my bass strings when I was playing music professionally. I have NEVER seen it gum anything up. It DOES have lubricating and rust preventative qualities.
Bill
www.billdeshivs.com
 
knarfeng said:
No sir, WD40 is not a lubricant. It is a blend of kerosene-like solvents and high viscosity oils containing water displacing compounds.

Once the solvent evaporates, the remainder is a thick gooey material that is designed to form a film to prevent water from reaching the surface being protected.

WD-40 does not lubricate once the solvent evaporates.
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Kerosene-like solvents and oil are water displacing compounds.

That "thick gooey material" left behind after the solvent evaporates is oil. Like any oil, the more foreign matter it collects, the more likely it'll be thick and gooey.

Oil lubricates. Hell, kerosene-like solvents will lubricate, and would be even better suited to such tasks if they didn't evaporate so quickly.

mete said:
I never use WD-40 for anything because I know it's history !! Originally the company did not develop it, nor make it , nor package it !! They only marketed it. Originally it was just a penetrant ,nothing else. As those things go it was recommended for everything ! Those who used it on steel guns , tools etc soon found their items rusting !! There were so many complaints they changed the formula !! Whatever you use it for there's something on the market that is better...As for 3 in 1 oil it is the worst oil I've ever seen .It had no antioxidents and would quickly form a varnish. When I repaired guns I would always know if 3 in 1 was used because of this .Some I couldn't even take apart because of the varnish. 3 in 1 is now owned by WD-40 , they make a wonderfull couple !
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More lore. Check out here and here for the best info.

As I said earlier, WD-40 receives some rather incredible claims, sometimes almost religious in fervor, considering it's such simple stuff. If you really want to see heads explode, go to a bicycling forum and declare WD-40 a decent chain lube. Those guys start foaming at the mouth over such declarations.
 
I have the PTFE spray. After the solvent evaporates, there is no oil at all on the sprayed surface. IMHO it is the best lubricant for the mechanical systems, which are afraid of "thick and gooey" oil layer. For locks and etc.

P.S. spray is manufactured by Ballistol.
 
WD-40

The WD does stand for water displacement and the 40 is it took them 40 trys to get the formula right hence the name WD-40.

I saw something on the history channel about it.

As far as my opinion on it, it is better than nothing but, attracts a lot of dirt/lint/dust IMO. I prefer a light gun oil such as Rem-oil for a quick lube and CRK flourinated grease for when I take the knife apart and clean/lube.
 
shecky said:
Kerosene-like solvents and oil are water displacing compounds.

That "thick gooey material" left behind after the solvent evaporates is oil. Like any oil, the more foreign matter it collects, the more likely it'll be thick and gooey.

Oil lubricates. Hell, kerosene-like solvents will lubricate, and would be even better suited to such tasks if they didn't evaporate so quickly.
.
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Actually, I was referencing additional additives that are more aggressive toward displacing water than just the kerosene and oil.

Yes, it is oil. But it is not the lightweight oil such as 10W and below that one wants for lubricating tight tolerances such as a knife pivot. It is a heavyweight oil.

My point is that once the solvents evaporate, the oil left behind is a high viscosity oil that is not the best to put on a knife pivot. WD-40 is great for cleaning. I use it frequently. If I am going to store carbon steel I often spray it with WD-40 before I put it away. That is what WD-40 was designed to do and it works pretty well for that.
 
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