Thread: Ballistol multi-purpose lubricant

Yup that's the info I was looking for.

I new it's been around for a while but couldn't put it all into words.

I've actually also put a few drops onto my coti after water and it did pretty well.

I'm fully aware that isobutanol evaporates yet I confess that it did not enter my mind earlier. Now, I still wouldn't want to breath it, and given how it stinks I cannot imagine using it as a flavoring agent, but that does eliminate concern about its absorption into the skin during shaving with a coated razor.

Oh, and you've really got to watch out for dihydrogen monoxide!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Since I knew nothing about it, I checked. HERE is the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS--the thing lab people use to try to avoid killing themselves and their descendants) for Ballistol. It only has one component with a threshold limit value (TLV), isobutanol, but that left me puzzled. HERE is the MSDS for isobutanol. Note that it is considered harmful if absorbed in the skin. I have used this stuff and personally, I would not put it on my face, nor would I consume it. I have always used it in a fume hood so that I don't even breathe it. I don't know what the ratio of isobutanol to mineral oil is in ballistol, but I don't consider it to be safe if it has any of that in it.

If I remember right, isobutanol is a really volatile compound -- that is, it evaporates quickly. If I'm right, if you oil the razor today, the isobutanol will all be gone by tomorrow.

More info here:

Isobutanol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

but nothing about its vapor pressure. It's an alcohol -- don't you mix alcohol and oil to protect your razors?

I wonder why the Canadian government banned it from cosmetics . . .

Charles

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

It's an alcohol -- don't you mix alcohol and oil to protect your razors?

I wonder why the Canadian government banned it from cosmetics . . .

Charles

Yes, I do, but I use isopropanol, aka rubbing alcohol. I would speculate that the stuff was banned in cosmetics because the isobutanol would still be in the cosmetic at the time it is applied to the skin. It may evaporate after application, but some of it could be absorbed into the skin.

I have used ballistol ever since I started straight shaving, it works great.
I have also used it on my strops and it works just fine.