Thread: Blade oil?

A thin coat of any mineral oil works.

Originally Posted by basil

I use ballistol oil. A drop on each side and rub it in to cover the blade. Been using for almost 10 years now and no issues.

When I oiled, ballistol was my choice too. Jeez, I sound like a Dos Equis commercial... "I don't oil often, but when I do.. it's ballistol".

I use whatever is on hand. Wd40, rem oil, mineral oil, gun oil, etc. Been wanting to try Ballistol or Tuf Glide.

Ballistol oil! Why didn't I think of that? I buy it by the gallon for use with black powder firearms and other uses. Normally on knives I use Renwax, but was looking for something to use after shaving and drying. I've got a bad habit of leaving my razor in the bathroom and the humidity from the shower is not good. Never had an issue with Camellia seed oil, but don't like the idea of it going rancid either. Ballistol is non toxic, water soluble, and while it might not be the best corrosion preventative out there, it should work well for my purposes.

Thanks

Originally Posted by will52100

Ballistol oil! Why didn't I think of that? I buy it by the gallon for use with black powder firearms and other uses. Normally on knives I use Renwax, but was looking for something to use after shaving and drying. I've got a bad habit of leaving my razor in the bathroom and the humidity from the shower is not good. Never had an issue with Camellia seed oil, but don't like the idea of it going rancid either. Ballistol is non toxic, water soluble, and while it might not be the best corrosion preventative out there, it should work well for my purposes.

Thanks

Since you buy so much---Pm me and I'll give you my address so you can ship me some--I'm getting low on my supple of Ballistol

I don't have any problems with blades rusting her in SE Washington State but I believe in practicing those 6 P's-Proper-Planning-Prevents-Piss-Poor-Performance so I use a light coat of Ballistol on my blades just as a precaution.

I've dug out razors that I haven't used in years and the Ballistol rinses right off with hot tap water. With that said after the hot tap water, I do give the blade a squirt of rubbing alcohol and then re-rinse the blade off before stropping and shaving.

By the way---for blades that have been sanded And Or buffed--always keep some oil on the blade as 'fresh steel' will oxidize faster than steel that's had time to age a bit.

If something like Mother's Mag and Aluminum or Mass or any other metal polish is used then the oil isn't critical but remember those 6 P's----------

One problem with straights is that anywhere the blade contacts the scales is a potential rust spot due to friction rubbing the oil off. So oils that rinse & wipe off easily might not be the best option. I always use Inox-MX3. In over 3 decades of straight razor use haven't found anything better. Even works on my bicycle chain.

My normal shaving routine is to nuke some water in a bowel, about 3 cups worth or so, tap water isn't quite hot enough. After shaving I dunk the blade in the hot water for 30 seconds or so to heat the steel up and then rinse off with hot tap water, it's well water so no chlorine to rust a blade, wipe dry on a clean towel and blow any moister out of the handle, and oil. Been working well so far, and now I'll be trying Ballistol lube out.

Thanks for the info, and I still don't know why I didn't think of using it before now.

Originally Posted by will52100

Ballistol oil! Why didn't I think of that? I buy it by the gallon for use with black powder firearms and other uses. Normally on knives I use Renwax, but was looking for something to use after shaving and drying. I've got a bad habit of leaving my razor in the bathroom and the humidity from the shower is not good. Never had an issue with Camellia seed oil, but don't like the idea of it going rancid either. Ballistol is non toxic, water soluble, and while it might not be the best corrosion preventative out there, it should work well for my purposes.

Thanks

Because you were too close to the problem! Weird how that happens. Had the same thing happen recently.

I've been meaning to get some ballistol as an all purpose oil and rust preventative. I know some shooters swear by it.

I got a few zerust plastabs to put with my blades/tools. Gave a few to other members and they didn't complain, so I at least know they don't hurt anything!

I try to dry my razors thoroughly after each use before putting them in the closet.

I've used Camellia oil in the past with great results. And I love the German miracle that is Ballistol, but it honestly smells like a wintergreen-tinged fart to me, which has become more of a deal breaker for me over the years.

So for long-term storage, I'm loving the silicone infused razor socks/sheaths these days. They work great for guns, and razors. No mess, and they allow me to put razors in the socks and just dump them in storage, with no worries about dinging them. Take them out, they're ready to go with no wiping. More expensive than Ballistol for sure, but versatile.

Ballistol is the one!