Thread: Ballistol multi-purpose lubricant

Ask and ye shall receive!

That isobutanol is isobutyl alcohol, the least toxic of the butanols, and is there merely as a solvent. In other words, it evaporates pretty quickly at room temperature and leaves the mineral oil behind. Surprisingly, it is also used as a food-additive and a flavouring agent - permitted by the FDA for human consumption. Those MSDS sheets are great, but they certainly like to cover every scenario! Probably something to do with manufacturers not wanting to be blamed for anything in obscure lawsuits. I can imagine one for plain old water - "synonym: dihydrogen oxide, may cause drowning; could give rise to thermal shock if freezing or at boiling temperature; may form explosive reaction upon addition to other chemicals; protective measures: goggles..."

Regards,
Neil

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!

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.