Spyderco Forums

Just found this great thread—thanks for the input. I’m wondering if you ever tried leaving a drop of Ballistol on the washer for a longer time? And whether that greenish lint on Endura washers would appear with other lubes too? I’m still unsure after all this time.

A few years ago, I used Ballistol to wipe down Spyderco blades (never on washers—used KPL), but stopped after reading about its potential to tarnish or dissolve copper and worrying it might reach the pivot area. Since then, I’ve used mineral oil, Tuf-Glide, or EDCi instead.

Recently cleaned patina off a washerless Stretch XL with Ballistol—worked great, but as I let it sit on the blade for some time it penetrated deep, even into the lock area behind the liners. I also planned to revive Micarta PM2 scales with Ballistol after a year in dry storage.

I'm still wondering—could Ballistol fumes tarnish the washers of other knives if stored in the same case as the Stretch XL I used it on, or if I apply it to Micarta or G10? It penetrates deeply and doesn’t dry quickly.

I also remember an old video where the author felt that Ballistol slightly etched the surface after a week-long soak

I used to use Mineral Oil, then switched to Ballistol on the advice of LT Wright. Other than the weird smell, I like it better.

Evil D wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 25, 2025 6:36 am

Never tried it myself, always been a Break Free CLP guy just because that's what I started off using. Should I try something else on my guns?

For my OTF knives I spray them out once a week with Rem Oil because Microtech said so. I figured they wouldn't recommend it if it caused problems.

Knife pivots I like bearing grease but lately I've also been using an old tube of Nano Oil just because I paid like $20 to test it out. I don't think it's any better than motor oil but that's not really an insult since motor oil isn't exactly low grade lubricant.

For people who live in America, I don't see any reason to buy Ballistol. There are more than enough really good gun, knife, and fishing gear oils.

If you live in Europe where stuff like Break Free, Rem Oil etc. and even 3-in-1 oil are either unobtanium or cost 2-3X the back-home price, Ballistol is widely available in a bunch of variants, cheap enough and good enough.

Ballistol does stink. I don't mean the quality, I mean the smell. It is really awful. You could probably run off skunks with it

Gym socks and licorice is the best description I've heard. Its not that bad though and it dissipates.

By the way, I prefer it to the alternatives you mentioned, and it's food safe.

Halfneck wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 23, 2025 10:41 am

I used to use Mineral Oil, then switched to Ballistol on the advice of LT Wright. Other than the weird smell, I like it better.

Interestingly enough, that is exactly who I learned about Ballistol from too. Many, many years ago now, and I'm glad I listened.

u.w.