What lubes do you use? & why?

[Blerv]

Boring mineral oil. Food safe and like $4 for a pint.

[computernut]

I've been using Tuff-glide on the blade and tang surfaces as a protectant and Benchmade Blue-Lube on the pivot with ok results. The blue-lube was easy to get so that's why I'm using it.

[G10KnifeNut]

Dude I CANNOT BELIEVE that just happend!!!! AHHHHHHH > jeeeez I just typed up this super long great reply then I tried to add a link and it deleted it alllll! anyways, you should've asked me Phillip! :D Get mineral oil for a few bucks at the local food store. Use for blades that may touch food :) lifetime supply for a few bucks is a steal!
Then get Tuf-Glide! The BEST stuff on the market :) Leaves a protective dry lube film that will not wash or wipe off! Leaves your knives or anything else it touches protected for awhile. Just re-apply every few months depending on how much use they get! Now before the links destroy this post, I'll add another post with links for a GREAT price where you can decide which bottle best fits your needs :)

[G10KnifeNut]

Precision Applicator bottle-(Great for hard to access parts such as the pivot)
http://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Solutions- ... 284&sr=8-5
Spray bottle which also has somewhat of a precision attachment-
http://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Tuf-Glide- ... pd_cp_hi_2
And last but not least, The big refill bottle which will last awhile! I'd get the precision applicator first then as it gets low, buy this huge refill bottle to keep filling up the small bottle :D Let me know what you think. And let us know what you get or plan to get :)
http://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Solutions- ... pd_cp_hi_1

[JD Spydo]

I mainly use Militec synthetic lube for most of my applications that require some type of wet lube. Like the one Brother says it doesn't attract dirt or lint much at all.

I also like most of Sentry Solution's products i.e. Tuf-Cloth, Tuf-Glide and I really love their dry lube called BP-2000. Most of Sentry Solution's products are great.

Militec also has a synthetic grease which is probably the best I've ever used on my treasured German fishing reels.

I'm trying to lean toward dry lubes as time goes on. Again that one that Sentry Solutions puts out called BP-2000 is nothing short of excellent. It's lubricity is as good as it gets.

[NYRich]

For general purpose lubrication I've been using 3-in-1 seemingly forever and have never had a rust problem on any kind of tool. Obviously, not for knives that will be used to cut food. The last can I bought has to be 10 years old and there's still a little left.

Somehow I ended up with a container of Hoppe's gun oil but don't remember buying it. Works just fine but I'd avoid using it on kitchen knives.

I don't use any oil at all on my 30+ year old Sabatier "high carbon" steel chef's knives and they don't have a spot of rust on them. I do clean them in hot soapy water and dry them immediately after use. If the residue is stubborn, a light rubbing with a soapy Brillo pad works just fine.

[ValueKnifeLover]

I've used Rem Oil w/ Teflon for a long time on my work knives... Maybe I should start using Tuff Glide judging from previous responses haha Mineral oil on the EDC is a great idea so you don't have to worry about food prep :)

[Evil D]

I wonder if that's the same as my White Lightning Original. I'm almost out, and I love the stuff. Would Wal Mart have it, do you think?

- best wishes, Jazz.

I think it's the same thing. At some point they started making different lubes, which i think is where the name change came in. They also have Epic Ride, which is a semi-wet/dry lube. I have some of that too, but it doesn't dry like the other stuff does, and i don't like a wet pivot.

[Jay_Ev]

Tuf-Glide has always worked well for me.

[eneyman]

Using 3in1 on blades and Hoppes lubricating oil on pivot with great results. Knives are gliding open with ease.

[Evil D]

I grew up using 3-in-1 on pretty much everything that needed lubed. If i didn't dislike wet pivots so much i'd feel fine using it. I tried mineral oil for a while too but again...wet pivot.

[Switchback]

This stuff is an excellent product, a multi-purpose lube from Du-Pont. I first heard about it on some motorcycle forums as a being an excellent and highly popular chain lube. The stuff dries quickly,( but doesn't gunk-up like White Lightning) and somehow doesn't attract ANY dirt or grime. I get it at Lowes for $5 a can.

http://www.amazon.com/Dupont-Multi-Use- ... B000GL19TY
DuPont™ Teflon™ Multi-Use Lubricant

A superior multi-use lubricant featuring proprietary self-cleaning technology. Lubricates without attracting grit and grime, eliminates squeaks, prevents rust and protects moving parts. Lasts up to 3 to 5 times longer in friction testing against other leading lubricants.

Goes on wet to deeply penetrate and loosen frozen or rusted parts
Sets up to a clean, dry, wax film which will not absorb dirt or grime
Patented self-cleaning technology sheds contaminants to minimize or prevent abrasive wear
Highly resistant to water wash-off, and won’t fling off
Water repelling, helps protect against rust and corrosion
Contains no silicones that may interfere with paints and finishes
Applications:

Motorcycle, ATV and go-kart chains (o-ring safe and no fling-off)
Garage and overhead door chains, springs, rollers and tracks
Hinges, windows, sliding tracks, locks and latches
Winches, hitches, ramps, pivots, cams and pulleys
Threaded parts and rusted bolts
Heavy duty zippers
Firearms, fishing reels, RC vehicles and bicycle chains
Table saws, hand tools, wood working tools and folding knives
Lawn and garden tools and equipment
Industrial chains (fork lifts, conveyors, stackers, etc.)
NSF H-2 Listed

I have some of this stuff and have used it on several of my knives. It is a very unique lubricant. Kind of like a light waxy substance diluted with some kind of evaporative liquid. It does what it says it will do and I think it is pretty good stuff. I got mine at my local Ace Hardware. Here's a photo I took of the bottle:



Lately I have been using the Quick Release that Jack mentioned and I like it too. It seems a little thicker than most lubes and tends to stay put better. The claims that it does not attract dirt and lint are true in my experience.

In all honesty, I think any lube will do as long as it is slippery and doesn't promote corrosion. My Grandpa used nothing but good ole' Quaker State motor oil on his Case knife for as long as I knew him. He never had any complaints.

[Evil D]

It is a very unique lubricant. Kind of like a light waxy substance diluted with some kind of evaporative liquid.

This is the same as White Lightning Easy Ride. It has to be shook up before you use it, and you can see the wax stuff settled in the bottom. When you put it on the liquid evaporates, leaving the wax behind. The liquid takes the wax into the tiniest of crevices and dries, so you get the wax lube everywhere.

The only thing i've found that annoys me about this lube is, if you get carried away and get it on your G10, it settles in the texture and needs washed off or it looks like white crusty crap on your scales. Other than that, i've used this stuff on everything from car doors to the door hinges in my house, pretty much anywhere that needs a good lube.

[Jazz]

Thanks, guys. I love the stuff, too, but ya wiping it off the scales can be a pain. Won't stop me from using it, though. Well, gotta go to Wal Mart now.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Taonari]

I have been using 3-in-1 oil for the past year. However, I just ordered some Chris Reeve fluorinated grease. I plan on disassembling my gritty Tenacious and see how it performs.

[ChrisM]

I use 3-1 for everything from guns and knives to hinges around the house. I bought a bottle a few years ago and there's probably 1/4 left in it. When it's empty I'll look for something more specific to knives.

[dj moonbat]

Check this out Razorsharp, I heard a lot of good reviews about Ballistol, and just before getting one, came across this:

http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/reca ... re_id=1007

That's a Canadian recall that identifies the "hazard" in Ballistol as being a lack of labeling in French.

[INFRNL]

WOW, thanks for the input so far guys!!! I will have to write them all down and decide from there which one(s) I want to try.

It might be wise for me to go with one that does really good at repelling dirt/dust as I work around very dirty conditions daily

[Orion's Belt]

I use Weapon Shield on everything, all of my Glocks, my 92FS, my AR, all of my hunting rifles and of course my knives. It works really well. Sooner of later I'm going to give Frog Lube a try.

[gundude73]

I use hoppes 9 penetrating oil and CRK grease. The CRK grease is some really great stuff IMO.