Thread: What Mineral Oil?

hey there, My brother works in a bicycle shop and gets shimano mineral oil for nothing and I was wondering if I could use it on my razors as I have heard that different grades are for differnet uses, but I wouldn't think that disk brake oil and oil that I could use on a straight would really be that far off.

so do you think I could use the Shimano oil?

regards alex

Since I have no idea as to the type of mineral oil in Shimano oil, I really cannot reply as to its suitability for coating your razor. Mineral oil is a broad catagory. What you are looking for is a highly refined light mineral oil. This is usually referred to as white oil and is produced in both food and pharmaceutical grades, either of which would be fine for use on your razor. I suspect the Shimano oil is intended for lubrication, and is thus probably a heavier, less well refined grade of oil.

I use a bottle from the Wal*Mart pharmacy. Baby oil's just lightly scented mineral oil.

If it sticks to the blade and comes off when you want it to, I'd say go for it. It's not like it's an expensive commodity, though. I've used maybe a 1/4 of a pint on 3 swords over as many years. You don't fly through it.

I would look out for weird chemicals in it, but if it's just mineral oil, go for it and see how it does.

I would be concerned about possible, however unlikely, additives in the Shimano oil. I only use the kind for ingestion, as I presume that to be more likely to be pure and safe.

I wouldn’t use shimano mineral oil as, as you said “for disc brakes”. I’d think it would be too thick for a razor.

I use 3 in 1 oil and wipe it off with a peace or rag so the blade isn’t soaked in it, then put it away.

You could use electric shaver oil as an alternative I suppose.

I agree with Utopian.

The mineral oil you can ingest is only $1-$2 for a large bottle.

Thanks for all the replies, I did read that the pharmaceutical grade of mineral oil couldn't be used on disc brakes as it was the wrong kind of oil and reading more on it I suspect it does seem like a unrefined lubricant for vehicles as alternatives for Shimano oil can be found at Halfords.

I'll get a bottle and see what it says on it and I can't resist free stuff!

cheers alex

gimpyalex,

Maybe this will help you:
Straight Razor Maintenance & Repair Needs

Regards,

RazorBack

Mineral oil is basically any oil made from the distillation of crude oil. It is a term which covers just about everything from the oil used in the engine of your car to baby oil. There are other types of high performance lubricating oils which are known as synthetic oils.

To recommend mineral oil for a razor is a bit meaningless. Everything from the extreme pressure lubricant (E.P.) in the axle of your car to the liquid parafin in your bathroom cabinet are mineral oils.

What makes the difference is what is added to them during the refining and blending process. It's likely that the Shimano hydraulic disc brake oil mentioned has additives that make it unsuitable for skin contact.

gimpyalex,

Some bicycle hydraulic brakes use mineral oil, others use DOT fluids.

To be honest, I would suggest you stay well clear of any of the above, even if they are free !

Baby oil from the pharmacy is very in-expensive (even in the UK !!), and a bottle will last you a very, very long time

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ