Thread: Ballistol Oil

David,

Ballistol can be used as a leather conditioner/preserver much like neatsfoot oil. I don't soak my strop in the stuff but a little rubbed in from time to time keeps the strop surface smooth and supple. After five years, I've seen no gumminess or other ill effects.

Ballistol will not waterproof leather.

Regards,
LG Roy

Originally Posted by mainaman

I oil with Ballistol but I have never seen the gel effect.

me neither i oil every blade with it and it does a great job

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I have used Ballistol for years, obviously for cleaning and lubing guns. I also mix it with some baking soda and water to make a spray for my garden plants. It wonderfully protects against a variety of bugs and biting things.

Straight ballistol liquid applied to a blade can look somewhat like a gel later, but it's nothing to worry about. It wipes off easily and does no harm to the blade. Indeed, German rifles lubed and wiped with ballistol and stored in the 1930's have been opened in the 2000's and found to be in perfect working order once the ballistol was wiped off.

Ballistol was invented in the early 20th century when the German army needed a single substance to clean and lube guns, condition leather belts and straps, condition the wood of gun stocks, and even soften and treat some wounds. It was going to be adopted by the US Army but the outbreak of WWI seems to have spoiled the appeal of German products for the US military.

Ballistol is non toxic though I wouldn't suggest ingesting it.

I spray it on my pets, children, even my wife, and they all seem happier and better behaved.

The only thing that does more jobs, better than ballistol is my 1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol, which can penetrate armored cars, turn back hordes of restless natives, bring down fighter airplanes, drive tent stakes, and still have 2 rounds left in the magazine…

I love it

Ditto that Ballistol does not waterproof leather. I does a nice job of conditioning it, though. It will darken the color of the leather a bit, so if you're partial to the leather's color, test it first.

I find leather treated with Ballistol does seem less harmed by moisture, and a heavy coat will seal wood and metal against rust etc. for storage.

I also mix it 50/50 with water to make "moose milk" which is a killer cleaner for Black Powder fire arms. Dry well afterward and then swab with pure ballistol and they're good to go.

Which means I just need one cleaner/lubricant for most of my needs.

According to specifications, Ballistol is a mixture of pharmeceutical grade white oil (highly refined mineral oil, aka baby oil). Various alcohols (the MSDS specifically mentions isobutyl alcohol). Oelic acid (a fatty acid) and unnamed essential oils for fragrence (since it smells like licorice, it probably contains anise seed EO). The aerosol contains butanes and propanes as a propellant. Basically, it's mineral oil with higher weight alcohols. The alcohols act as preservatives and also as emulsifiers when mixed with water (it is well known for its ability to form a milky emulsion when mixed with water).

It's also a delicious desert toping....Once, I ran out of Hot Fudge, and grabbed the old Ballistol...Mmmmmmmmmm Ballistol.......

When I'm teaching my classes, if students seem confused or start arguing about grades, i just whip out a can of Ballistol and spray some into the air.

Immediately, the students calm down and start taking notes.

Sample Quotation: "What was that last point Dr. Stone? I was so rudely not paying attention I failed to get your brilliant thoughts written down here. I have put away my cell phone and stopped texting, i'm so fascinated by this class...."

Ballistol...it lubrictes everything!

Originally Posted by basil

Howdy all,

So when I got my le grelot I was sent a bottle of this ballistol oil with it. I read some posts about it and decided I'd use it between shaves to protect my blade.

I have been noticing something funny tho. When I put it on it's fine but when I take it out for the next shave it's like a gel on the blade.

Is this supposed to happen or am I doing something wrong. Any help will be appreciated.

Approximately how many sprays are you squirting on the blade with this? I have two cans, also from Le Grelot razor purchases. I used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I went away on hols to protect my Puma 6/8 razor. Couple of squirts was more than enough.

I shaved with the Puma today and wiped it clean before hand. I also stropped it for 10 laps on linen before shaving with it today. Razor was clean and spotless and shaved like a dream.

I've found Ballistol to be great for lubing and protecting guns and knives, but I never made the connection to razors. Duh! I'm going to give it a try.

Originally Posted by rum

Approximately how many sprays are you squirting on the blade with this? I have two cans, also from Le Grelot razor purchases. I used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I went away on hols to protect my Puma 6/8 razor. Couple of squirts was more than enough.

I shaved with the Puma today and wiped it clean before hand. I also stropped it for 10 laps on linen before shaving with it today. Razor was clean and spotless and shaved like a dream.

I would dip a q-tip into the bottle and just rub it on the blade.

It ended up being too much liquid tho so it would dry funny as mentioned a few posts up.

Now I just put some on the tip of my finger and wipe it on the blade like that. I'm now able to put the just right amount of oil on my blade and haven't had the funny residue on my blades.