Help finding "Mineral Oil" in Australia

I have been reading in other threads that applying a little "Mineral Oil" to the blade as a finishing step is a good idea to prevent rust and other problems.

My issue is that I can't find it in Australia by that name. I assume that this is just another one of those faucet/tap, petrol/gas type translation issues.

My best guess is either what we in Australia call paraffin (although this may be different to paraffin in the US).

Any help with translations would be greatly appreciated. Alternatively, any pointers to a suitable replacement available in Australia would be great too.

Cheers,

Scott

p.s. Once I collate this (and other answers), I am planning to put up an Australian product FAQ.

Baby oil is mineral oil with scent added. Check the list of ingredients, that may help you identify the type of oil needed. Also mineral oil is used as a laxative and it's usually sitting next to alcohol and peroxide and other low-markup items in pharmacies.

Do you mean baby oil as in this stuff?

http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/products/oil/baby-oil

If so, the scent could seriously erode the manliness of my straight razor usage :D

Scott

Try searching in pharmacies for pure Mineral oil, or pure Paraffinum (Paraffinol) oil...

Nenad

Here in Aussie, mineral oil generally refers to baby oil or sewing machine oil. Take your pick. Personally I would use camellia oil but it's a tade more expensive. Available in Australia from CARBA-TEC with stores in the eastern states and Perth but they do mail order.

John

Mineral oil is any oil that is "mined" as opposed to oil of vegetable or animal origin. Some baby oils are mineral oil but others may contain oils of plants like almond oil, olive oil etc.

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Originally Posted by finno

My best guess is either what we in Australia call paraffin (although this may be different to paraffin in the US).

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

Mineral oil is "by-products" of petroleum refining process and contains paraffinitcs so it looks like yer all correct.

If you see paraffin in a pharmacy, make sure that the indicated uses are as a laxative and as a topical skin emollient. If that's the case, you're on the right track. You can also just ask the pharmacist. They're very helpful.

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

If you see paraffin in a pharmacy, make sure that the indicated uses are as a laxative and as a topical skin emollient. If that's the case, you're on the right track. You can also just ask the pharmacist. They're very helpful.

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Laxative on your blade?? I never had a constipated face! :roflmao

You also put stain remover/solvent into your gas tank, you can drink another solvent and in NL it's legal to smoke a plant that makes excellent textiles/rope. Just because mineral oil works as a laxative doesn't mean it's not good for preserving metal or to be used with oilstones.

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Originally Posted by FXR

Here in Aussie, mineral oil generally refers to baby oil or sewing machine oil. Take your pick. Personally I would use camellia oil but it's a tade more expensive. Available in Australia from CARBA-TEC with stores in the eastern states and Perth but they do mail order.

John

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I've heard someone else say that camelia oil is quite good - used to protect woodworking tools.

You can order it from some of the sites that sell Japanese woodworking tools.

Liquid paraffin used as a laxative is not similar to the less liquid paraffin used for skin creams/ointments etc. One of the side effects of liquid paraffin is anal skin irritation, that is why it is no longer a 1st choice laxative. Obviously if used to prevent water from getting in touch with the metal of the blade the amount that ends up on your facial skin is considerably less so it might not become a problem. I felt I had to mention it. Mineral baby oil would be my preferred option from a medical point of view.

Or pick up a half-pint of mineral oil in any pharmacy for $2. What would be a better deal :thinking:

I only use mineral oil for:
1) Long-term razor storage. No point in oiling my regular shavers after every shave.
2) Oil-stones
3) Oiling tools/hinges
I don't see where the irritation would kick in.

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I only use mineral oil for:
1) Long-term razor storage. No point in oiling my regular shavers after every shave.
2) Oil-stones
3) Oiling tools/hinges
I don't see where the irritation would kick in.

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My point above was only about the liquid paraffin used as a laxative. If you do not use it on your regualrly used shavers I agree there shouldn't be a problem.

Is the general consensus with FiReSTaRT that oiling is only for long term storage?

I only have (will have in a few days) one razor so long term storage isn't really a factor yet as I plan to use it every day or two.

Of course once the RAD sets in.... :hmmm:

Scott

Scott,
if you live in a humid climate then it may be beneficial to oil the blades routinely but I don't see any other valid reasons for the practice.

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Originally Posted by finno

Is the general consensus with FiReSTaRT that oiling is only for long term storage?

I only have (will have in a few days) one razor so long term storage isn't really a factor yet as I plan to use it every day or two.

Of course once the RAD sets in.... :hmmm:

Scott

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I don't know about the general consensus but my consensus is oil that bastage after every shave! Just ask Lynn ;). He had to use a shop vac to get all the oil off that razor I sent to him for an eval of my sharpening.

Several people have said that if you dry it thoroughly after the shave and use it regularly then daily oiling isn't required, unless you live in a humid environment.

I have several razors in regular rotation and there's quite often stuff that pops up that causes me to not shave for a while or to grab a razor and run (unexpected travel). It only takes me an extra few seconds after my shave to wipe a razor down with alcohol and then oil it and I never have to worry about a razor being dormant for a week or ten because oiling is part of my daily routine.

So don't take a chance! Oil that bastage til it drips! Oil! Oil! Oil! :p

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Originally Posted by Kees

Laxative on your blade?? I never had a constipated face! :roflmao

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That's not the story over on this side of the world ;). j/k

I don't know for right or wrong I use wd40 after each shave
Kind regards Peter

I started with oiling the razors after each shave, but after a while I gave up. There is no need for oiling on a daily basis if you keep water out of the pin area, dry the whole blade after the use, and do not store in moist areas, like bathroom.

Nenad

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Originally Posted by bg42

I don't know for right or wrong I use wd40 after each shave
Kind regards Peter

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You gave up the gear oil? ;) j/k

I have what can only be termed," A large felt tip pen" that is made for the purpose of oiling tools. This I fill with Camillia oil and use on razors I store not on ones I use regular. Great clean way to oil razors and tools though.

PuFF

p.s. Liquid Parafin is great for working ingested items out of your dog. :)

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Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I have what can only be termed," A large felt tip pen" that is made for the purpose of oiling tools. This I fill with Camillia oil and use on razors I store not on ones I use regular. Great clean way to oil razors and tools though.

PuFF

p.s. Liquid Parafin is great for working ingested items out of your dog. :)

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where did you find an oiler like that? I can think of a hundred uses right off the top of my head, my tools would love me.

Wandering through the IKEA this afternoon (a pasttime I hate BTW :mad: , but I had to find some fabric used on a sofa. Did find it, coldnt buy it...:mad: :mad: ) in the kitchen parafanalia department I found a bottle of SKYDD. 100% Mineral Oil :y (parafine oil).

It is used for for wood treatment, such as cutting boards. It contains no solvents and is non-toxic.

That's the stuff we are looking for :tu

It's sold in a plastic 0,5 ltr (17oz) bottle with childproof cap. It's made in Sweden (duh) and the partnumber is 17361. Price EUR 2,95

In the morning I will put it in a spraybottle and use it for my razors and other tools.

I believe paraffin is kerosene and not mineral oil. Try a pharmacy (chemist, druggist, etc.) for mineral oil which is used to help people stay regular. Personally, I use Dovo Sterol which is a sterile oil. One could also use Camellia Oil which you can get on eBay or from any supplier of Japanese metal tools.

I still oil my blades after every shave. I probably don't need to, but I have several very old and hard to find razors and I tend to baby them. I even oil my stainless steel friodurs and Im pretty sure they dont need it...

At any rate, if you cant find mineral oil, which is what I use, I wouldnt hesitate to use camillia oil. Lynn uses Camillia oil on all the razors he hones.

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Originally Posted by Howard

I believe paraffin is kerosene and not mineral oil. Try a pharmacy (chemist, druggist, etc.) for mineral oil which is used to help people stay regular. Personally, I use Dovo Sterol which is a sterile oil. One could also use Camellia Oil which you can get on eBay or from any supplier of Japanese metal tools.

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Well Howard, sorry to be a bit self-consious (where's the dictionary if you need it :eek: ), but the description on the bottle SKYDD I got from IKEA yesterday is very clear. It says 100% mineral oil (paraffin oil) on the label. It even has the sign for use on cutlery on it. Inside there is the description "non-toxic".
Kerosine seems to me toxic in any way.

"There is no risk of self-combustion" - definitely no kerosine - "Swallowing a small amount of the oil is not dangerous, but may have a laxative effect" Recognize something here?

Last but not least: it's completely odourless...:hmmm:

Just FYI, the Norton Sharpening Oil is a pharmacopoeia grade mineral oil that meets FDA requirements for use near food and is specifically designed for sharpening stone use. Since most of you are most familiar with the Norton Waterstones, you may not realize that the bulk of their products require oil as a lubricant.

Good point Jim. I actually bought one of their coarse oilstones and a bottle of that oil before I knew better lol.

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Originally Posted by Howard

I believe paraffin is kerosene and not mineral oil. Try a pharmacy (chemist, druggist, etc.) for mineral oil which is used to help people stay regular. Personally, I use Dovo Sterol which is a sterile oil. One could also use Camellia Oil which you can get on eBay or from any supplier of Japanese metal tools.

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Paraffin is a byproduct of the refining process for petrolium oils. Paraffin wax is not kerosene, mineral oil is not kerosene and yet they both have paraffin in them. Paraffin is found in mineral oil, wax, and several other products and certain paraffins can be found in kerosene.

Did you know that Jet Fuel is just purified kerosene and contains paraffins? :p

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Originally Posted by Pinda

Wandering through the IKEA this afternoon (a pasttime I hate BTW :mad: , but I had to find some fabric used on a sofa. Did find it, coldnt buy it...:mad: :mad: ) in the kitchen parafanalia department I found a bottle of SKYDD. 100% Mineral Oil :y (parafine oil).

It is used for for wood treatment, such as cutting boards. It contains no solvents and is non-toxic.

That's the stuff we are looking for :tu

It's sold in a plastic 0,5 ltr (17oz) bottle with childproof cap. It's made in Sweden (duh) and the partnumber is 17361. Price EUR 2,95

In the morning I will put it in a spraybottle and use it for my razors and other tools.

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I would not treat my razors with it though. Many wood treatment liquids contain waxes and other sticky substances that might be difficult to wipe off your razor. Or try it on a cheap bit of metal first.

I've said it twice already, the stuff is 100% Mineral oil and contains NO solvents. If there was any hint of wax i it it should smell like wax. It doesn't smell at all. Furthermore if there was a wax-content, there should be a solvent present to keep the wax in solution until the drying process is completed....NO solvents.

Again, if there was any wax in it I wouldn;t treat my cutting board with it. I don't like the idea of my chicken-special with a waxy bottom.....:nono:

I've been in the chemical industry too long to know what I'm talking about. The stuff from IKEA is the real deal!:tu

(for your peace of mind, I've just used it on one of my razors. I'll wipe it off tomorrow-morning and let you'll know)

sounds like s good find in an unexpected place. Thanks for the heads up Pinda, If my wife sees a receipt from IKEA she will never think it is for my razors.:w

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Originally Posted by Pinda

I've said it twice already, . . . .

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"Play it again, Sam!" ;).

...but someone must be listening:w

Just wiped off the blade I've treated with SKYDD. As I expected: it leaves no residu, waxy or otherwise. Just a shiny rust-free blade :tu

The stuff is great! :y

Oh. and by the way, the razor I used it on was one of my daily rotation. Not some fleemarket find.

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

where did you find an oiler like that? I can think of a hundred uses right off the top of my head, my tools would love me.

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Here you go: http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.a...ile=1&jump=120

Looks like Lie Nielson does the japan made oiler now. I've had mine years so took some finding again :)

PuFF

Okay, here is the answer to the original question. Then I can explain the laxative thing, but that will come later.

Mineral Oil is a clear, light, flavorless, odorless oil with many uses. Unlike cooking oil, it never goes bad by becoming rancid. Because it is an oil, and oil is not miscible with water, it is good at protecting things from water eg. wood and metal. Because it never goes rancid you can put it on things without worrying that it will ever become gummy or develop foul odors. So you can put it on wood or metal and it will protect it from water without stinking or changing in texture. Very pure mineral oil, can be ingested, this type is called "food safe". Food safe mineral oil is the type that is used for cutlery, cutting boards, razors, and yes even laxatives.

There are many different kinds of laxatives and they work in a few different ways. There are stool softeners, stimulants, osmotic, and LUBRICANT just to name four. Lubricant laxitives do just what it sounds like they do, the lubricant passes through the alimentary canal until it reaches fecal matter, lubricating it so it slides out. Can YOU guess a good lubricant laxative???? That's right, it's mineral oil! Food safe Mineral oil is a laxative just as described above. You have to drink a fair amount of it to achieve the desired effect so it's not likely you will soil yourself while shaving if you use it on your razor.

To sum up, mineral oil is a clear odorless oil that is great for protecting your razors. Food safe mineral oil can be used as a lubricant laxative, but only if you drink a fair amount of it. You can find food safe mineral oil in the pharmacy with the laxatives, sold as a protectant for cutlery or cutting boards, and at lab supply (large quantity)/restaurant supply houses.

Finally, I will say this. Don't use anything on your razors that you wouldn't want to eat! This means WD-40, and any other chemical that you wouldn't want in your mouth. The razor touches your face and comes very close to your mouth, nose, eyes and you don't want anything getting in those places least of all WD-40.

Hope this helps. Good luck getting some Food Safe Mineral oil from down under.

-------Michael

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Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Okay, here is the answer to the original question.

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I understood the original question to be something like "What are other names mineral oil may go by, and what are good alternatives when one cannot find mineral oil". :p