Ballistol to lubricate your Spydie

Fred Sanford · #1

Hey guys,

For those that don't know there is a gun lube/cleaner called "Ballistol". I use it on my Glocks and I recently decided to try it out on my Spydies. So far I've used it on an SS Delica 4 and a Caly 3 in ZDP. Been using it on them for about 2 weeks now. I've not found anything bad about it. Plus I love the smell. Kinda smells like black licorice.

It's good for, and does not harm, wood, plastic and leather.

Anyone else use gun lube on their Spydies?

gunmike1 · #2

I use Tuf Glide on my guns, including my Glock 17 and Glock 20, an on my knives. I think of Spydies as the Glock of the knife world as they are function over form. Glocks and Spydercos just plain work and function great, though a lot of people don't like how they look. But I digress, Tuf Glide works great by smoothing up the action on knives while providing some corrosion resistance. I have heard good things about Ballistol and Gun Butter, so next time I need to buy a gun or knife lube I think I'll try one of those 2 out.

Mike

Fred Sanford · #3

Hey Mike,

Long time brother!

I like Tuf-Glide also but I hated the smell so I moved to Ballistol. :)

thehunt · #4

I use Ballistol as well. Its save for food and I like the smell as well ;-)

Spydesense · #5

I use Militec on my guns and knives. I am going to get some Ballistol to use also... I have heard nothing but good things about both. The Militec supposedly does "molecular bonding" to the metal when guns get hot from firing. So, I have actually heated knives up with my daughter's hair dryer. I can definatly feel the "dry lubrication" on my guns, not so sure on knives though. but, I feel sure it probably works as well as anything else. Still gonna have to order Ballistol to try out though. :D

http://militec1.com/

Javascript · #6

Was just looking at the MSDS for Ballistol. It seems to be safe enough for ingestion due to incidental contact, like cutting an apple (or your Thanksgiving squash...), but I would want to wipe any excess from my blade before use. Contains no carcinogens. Works to neutralize acids from sweat and others. Will have to give it a try.

The MSDS can be found here: http://www.baileysonline.com/msds_sheet ... listol.PDF

presbo · #7

I use "Tuff-Glide" and really like it. But I'm going to give this "Ballistol" a try now that I'v heard good things about it. :)

2cha · #8

I use ballistol for about everything now. It is used as an oral medicine in Europe. I don't drink it. But it makes me feel better about gun cleaning parties. I still use a little solvent on tough spots, but then "rinse" it off with Ballistol.

Javascript · #9

2cha wrote:I use ballistol for about everything now. It is used as an oral medicine in Europe.

Ballistol is, or the medicinal grade mineral oil it is based on? Because the mineral oil is not the only ingredient. On the other hand, perhaps this explains a few things...

The Mentaculous · #10

Heh, it's kind of funny, cause about 2-3 days ago I started a thread asking "what should I use to oil up my spydies?". It was between Ballistol and Mineral oil, and I went with Ballistol, based on its properties, but also based on the fact the Spyderco used to (or still does?) sell it at the SFO, making it their recommended lubricant. Spyderco's endorsement is definitely good enough for me, so a day or 2 ago I ordered a 16 ounce bottle and a small glass dropper bottle to apply it. I'm looking forward to trying it out, as I'm so anal about my knives, and I'll be glad when they're all oiled up and protected. I've heard some great things about Ballistol...I used Tuf glide for my pivots, but it's toxic unlike Ballistol. Plus I hear Ballistol is thinner, making it penetrate easier, and works a bit better for lubrication as well. All that adds up to something I gotta try!

For anyone else that wants to get some, they have it for $11 (regular 16 ounce non-aerosol) on amazon.

dragonram7 · #11

Militec is a teflon base lube

2cha · #12

Javascript wrote:Ballistol is, or the medicinal grade mineral oil it is based on? Because the mineral oil is not the only ingredient. On the other hand, perhaps this explains a few things...

Pretty sure I got this info. from the literature that came with the product--I bought a couple pints, and a big sheet about Ballistol's history and usage came with them.

J D Wijbenga · #13

I have been using it for years with good result.

JD

red mag · #14

Hi,
I like Ballistol and made good experience with it.
Food save, long-term-storage, multi functional (although I've not heard about the oral treatment).
You can use it an most materials (metals and synthetics).
When you use it, please keep in mind, that B. was developed as a gun (cleaning) oil and therefore removes deposits of brass in guns. As we know, brass it made of copper and zinc.
So it attacks copper and bronze. Please be sure the washers of the knife you lube are of something different (nylatron, teflon, etc). It may take some time and only discolor the washers, but I don't use it on wahsers which contain copper.

Hope this helps
emerald

The Mentaculous · #15

red mag wrote: When you use it, please keep in mind, that B. was developed as a gun (cleaning) oil and therefore removes deposits of brass in guns. As we know, brass it made of copper and zinc.
So it attacks copper and bronze. Please be sure the washers of the knife you lube are of something different (nylatron, teflon, etc). It may take some time and only discolor the washers, but I don't use it on wahsers which contain copper.

Hope this helps
emerald

Interesting...is it safe to use with phosphor bronze washers?

2cha · #16

Doesn't look like would be a problem for washers,... This from Ballistol website:

Ballistol and Metals BALLISTOL has the unusual (for a lubricant) capability to clean brass, silver, and bronze and to dissolve traces of copper, zinc, lead and tombac. This means that you can use BALLISTOL to clean and shine your brass bell and to prevent corrosion of brass contacts. Try this: put a mildly corroded dispensed brass gun shell in a cup and fill it with BALLISTOL so as to immerse half the shell in BALLISTOL. Allow to sit there for approx. one hour. Then take a dry cotton cloth and rub the part of the shell that has been in contact with BALLISTOL. You will see it become shiny. BALLISTOL has dissolved the layer of corrosion on the shell. Chrome plated metal, stainless steel and even aluminum can be treated with Ballistol to clean them and to protect them against corrosion. BALLISTOL does a nice job in cleaning and shining your galley, too. We recommend spraying BALLISTOL inside your boat's position and anchor lights to inhibit corrosion of contacts.

You can also use BALLISTOL on your boat trailer, on the winch, the tongue, wire pulls, brake cables and inside the tail lights to slow down corrosion of the electrical contacts inside. Due to its low surface tension Ballistol creeps. It will actively penetrate to areas which you cannot reach directly. In doing so BALLISTOL even defies gravity: it will creep upward on wires, screws and other threaded or braided pieces of equipment.

WireEdge Roger · #17

I like FP-10 and it smells good too!

phillipsted · #18

I'm still careful with Ballistol - the text from their web site says that it cleans by taking off the top layer of corrosion on brass. This means that it is dissolving traces of metallic copper, zinc, lead, etc.

This probably isn't an issue with a user that is cleaned and oiled frequently. But a safe queen might have the chemical sit for a long period of time in contact with susceptible parts.

Personally, I use Tuff-Glide. It also works great for my kid's Boy Scout Pinewood Derby axles as well!

TedP

red mag · #19

You can use B. to clean brass, but for storage I made some dissapointing experience.
I coated a large knife made of Carbon V with a brass guard with B.
A year later - the blade was fine, but the guard looked green.
Since then I use Vaseline for brass guards.

As for the phoshor bronze washers: I wouldn't dare to use it.
Imho the effect shouldn't be so drastic since there is little distance between the washers and the blade/handle which delays the process.

hope this helps
emerald

PS.: Please keep in mind, that I'm not an expert, only an observing knife-lover (for some time). :)

Fred Sanford · #20

I'm gonna email the folks at Ballistol, as I'd like to know if I should or shouldn't use it. :)

I'll let you know.