Thread: Japanese Sword Oil and Paper

Hi,

I don't know if anyone has posted this before, but in studying Iaijutso, the art of the Japanese sword, I use Chuji oil (pure camelia oil) and cleaning paper, after every practice. Below are links for the oil and paper. This is what I have been using following my shaves to keep my razor from rusting. It is probably overkill that I do it each time, but it is part of my ritual. I just wipe it off before I strop.

Oil
Choji Oil Large Bottle

Paper
Sword Cleaning Paper

Old School,

Right you are. It even says it on the link I posted. I am not sure why I thought it was camellia oil, but I did and stand corrected.

So do you use camellia? The Choji seems to work fine.

David

Does it cost more than food grade white oil or baby oil? If so, why is it better?

Or get a can of 3in1. Oiling for a frequently used razor that is wiped dry after each use is probably not necessary, but for a belt and suspenders approach, any petroleum oil will work. Just make sure the blade is completely dry before annointing the razor.

As Old_School has stated, choji oil is typically pure (99.9%) light mineral oil with a tiny bit of clove oil added for scent.

This oil is fine for protecting all things carbon steel but can easily be replaced by other fine mineral oils. I do not believe this to be the same mineral oil that can be found in drug stores but what is referred to as machine oil. Such as you would find in sewing machine oil.

I do not have any experience using the other mineral oils but i have used sewing machine oil, which is labeled as a light mineral oil, before and it works great.

There are plenty of posts on various sword forums regarding the usage of mineral oil. Sword Forum International or even The Nihonto Message Board.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

Does it cost more than food grade white oil or baby oil? If so, why is it better?

Baby oil is just regular mineral oil with a fragrance added. For an antique sword i would probably pay the extra money for a higher grade of oil but for a razor any mineral oil will probably work just fine.

Originally Posted by D.Sweet

Baby oil is just regular mineral oil with a fragrance added. For an antique sword i would probably pay the extra money for a higher grade of oil but for a razor any mineral oil will probably work just fine.

What do you think the differences are (if any) between baby oil and "machine" oil. In actuallity, baby oil and food grade white oil (also sold as honing oil) are more highly refined than sewing machine oil or other similar lubricants.

FWIW, I own and collect Katana's. You are wasting oil if your using the razor daily.
I only oil blades that will be put in storage for a while. I keep anywhere from 7 to 9 blades in rotation. Those blades, once cleaned and dry, get wiped down with a Silicone treated cloth, available where sporting goods are sold, or gun supplies...

I use Ballistol and I use it after every shave with an applicator. It probably is overkill but in a place far far away from here I got a brand new razor and it developed a couple of black spots on the blade within a week. Even with using hot water and wiping and letting it dry. I was sick! It has never happened again and besides sometimes I don't get around to a razor but every couple of months but I don't always know that when I put them away.

Out damn spot, out!

Richard

Originally Posted by fccexpert

What do you think the differences are (if any) between baby oil and "machine" oil. In actuallity, baby oil and food grade white oil (also sold as honing oil) are more highly refined than sewing machine oil or other similar lubricants.

I wish i could locate some factual information regarding this but i am coming up a bit short.
I would imagine that there is not much difference between them. Highly refined baby oil, what i believe is called cosmetic grade mineral oil, is a light oil and extremely pure. The only other factor would be what chemical they use as a fragrance and how it reacts with metal. But i have never witnessed any adverse effects.

The only real question when oiling carbon steel is if, and how, the oil reacts with the metal. For example, pure choji oil actually promotes oxidization and can turn steel purplish but then again this is more of an essential oil and not really ment for this purpose. Mineral oil is the safest bet and the higher the grade the better.

Originally Posted by D.Sweet

The only real question when oiling carbon steel is if, and how, the oil reacts with the metal. For example, pure choji oil actually promotes oxidization and can turn steel purplish but then again this is more of an essential oil and not really ment for this purpose. Mineral oil is the safest bet and the higher the grade the better.

Please explain. These are several hundred years old & guess what history says was used...


Choji is all I use on the rest of them...