Ballistol/ Water Mix

Still trying to get an answer for this...maybe the trird time is the charm?

There is a lot of discussion on using Ballistol as a lubricant/protectant for straight razors. The one thing not mentioned is the mixture, the product is designed to be mixed with water. I am sure someone on this forum that can explain what mixture would be best for lubricating and using a protective wipe on the pivot and blade of a straight razor. The can shows mixtures of anywhere from 10% to 90% water.

Thanks for your input.

I only use ballistol straight out of the can, no mixing with water. You CAN mix it down as the instructions say, but adding any water when trying to protect a razor from corrosion is probably not going to help.
Even ballistol site says for most applications just use it straight.
I've only watered it down to use as a cutting fluid.

Just got mine and not even thought about diluting it with water. I got both the bottle which I use to put a drop on the blade and an aerosol which I use to spray into the pivot area.
I've tried several different things but after looking at what others use Ballistol seems to get more recommendations. I like the fact that it drives moisture out and it's safe. Other oils seem to go sticky and Clippercide looks like you should wear a bio hazard suit to use it, I gave my can to a local barber!

I agree with RoyalCake,.. I wouldn't use water mixes for protection,. the Ballistol has pretty low viscosity anyway so I don't really think you need to mix it for this purpose..

I was thinking of using ballistol for strop conditioning as well, anyone tried that by any chance?

The answer is on Ballistol's website:

Attachment 162619

Regards,
Neil

Hi, have been using it on str8's for sometime (can's almost empty). I use it straight, just spray and wipe the excess. Haven't had a problem with it.

"self answer": always looked under strop ballistol keywords... but a leather ballistol yields better results :) ... one of many.. CLICK

How do you deal with the stink? It drives me out of my gun room after cleaning the pistols.

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Originally Posted by Neckbone

How do you deal with the stink? It drives me out of my gun room after cleaning the pistols.

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Yes, it does stink. I've sort of gotten used to it but wife not so much.
I use ballistol a lot but not yet on my razors, except for a little at the pin sometimes.

:D :D funny, I find it kind of smelling ok, if something it can be a bit unpleasant in the aggressive kind of way... in the mean time I found info on how not to use Ballistol on strops so am pretty confused...
I however did use it on a suede CrOx strop for making a paste out of powder and I applied it on, all seems normal (did this some time ago and forgot :D) and not greasy or anything,.. I didn't put much on anyways

I like the smell. I use it straight out of the can to protect my carbon steel razor blades when I store them or before I send them to a customer. Works perfectly.

I heard a dab behind each ear helps sort out the gals who are truly desperate from those who are merely flirtatious.

not true,.. I bathe in it and it doesn't do nothing :D :D

They must not be desperate enough yet!!!

I have used it on my guns and now my razors for years. I don't mix...I have a needle oiler bottle and squirt it in the hinge area every now and then but I am very careful not to get the hinge pin wet

What purpose would it serve in ultra-sonic cleaners? Kind of gotten me curious as I use a cheap one to clean up safety razors.

I-m not sure if there is much heat buildup in an ultrasonic cleaner but Ballistol might be pretty flammable, so I would be cautious with this combo? (I might be wrong though)

I don't think that mixing Ballistol with water is a good idea for corrosion protection issues. Since water and oil are not soluble into one another, you will have small droplets of water dispersed into the oil. So on the metal surface of your straight you will have areas covered with oil and areas were water is in contact with the metal. So you may became a speckled surface with small corroded dots.

The issue for cleaning weapons is different, because you want to remove acids like sulphur, which are products of the blackpouder. And these acids are soluble in water - not oil. That's the reason here for mixing Ballistol with water.

For corrosion protection use Ballistol pure!

Tuf-Glide is great for razors...and if you get any of the razor socks, they are impregnated with Ballistrol.

I use a drop or two of Tuf-Glide on the pivot pin area, and then into a razor sock for storage.

SRD just started selling these razor socks, at an awesome price as well.

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Originally Posted by miha

not true,.. I bathe in it and it doesn't do nothing :D :D

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Not rusty though, are you?! :)

Do not mix Ballistol with water for razors. Water is needed for firearms fired with black powder or corrosive primer ammo. Corrosive residues are soluble in water but not oil. I would still use 100% Ballistol after drying to prevent firearm rust and would use 100% Ballistol on firearms not firing corrosive ammo.

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Not rusty though, are you?! :)

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nah no squeaks in joints,.. but funny you mentioned this, as my back turned on me a few days ago,.. I guess it's time for another oily bath :D

100yrs ago it was used for problems joints too(;-(

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Originally Posted by Johnus

100yrs ago it was used for problems joints too(;-(

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It was originally used as a field dressing too, but when it was exported they took "for use on wounds" off the label.

The joint thing is interesting, but ultimately a fallacy or self-delusion, I think. Virtually anything that oils has been used on aching joints at one time or another, I expect!

I remember reading about people, particularly Vietnam veterans, spraying WD40 onto their joints and claiming the most miraculous powers for it.

There is no medical evidence for it working, but plenty of people still ease stiff joints with it, such as those suffering from arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Placebo-effect, probably.

Still, it it works for some who am I to knock it?!

Regards,
Neil

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Originally Posted by sheajohnw

Do not mix Ballistol with water for razors. Water is needed for firearms fired with black powder or corrosive primer ammo. Corrosive residues are soluble in water but not oil. I would still use 100% Ballistol after drying to prevent firearm rust and would use 100% Ballistol on firearms not firing corrosive ammo.

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This is good advice!

For corrosion protection, I still use petroleum products or synthetics designed for the purpose.