advice please - on camellia oil

S

seaice

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Mar 22, 2007
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Camellia oil, for use on kukris (or rifles, whether on outer metal or wooden stock).... which is better to use.... is it the camellia oil on its own as used by people who grow bonsai trees - or is it the mix of camellia and mineral oil as supplied as a rust preventitive coating by some toolstores?

Is it ok to use on wood as well as steel - confused about it since some woods with a high tannic acid content aren't considered suitable for gunstocks, yet camellia has that as well, or is it in too low a concentration in the oil to matter?

Does it compare favourably with Ballistol?
 
The camellia oil I use is probably the mineral oil-based stuff, but I couldn't tell you for certain. Since a lot of people use mineral oil itself to oil their blades, it should work fine either way. Mine sure does the trick. As far as working on wood, I've had no problems with it and I put a lot on my khuk handle. It gives it a nice luster like tung oil. I've never used Ballistol, but you'll find that all oils, waxes, and whatnots have their adherents. I like camellia oil because it's cheap (a $7 bottle will last you a lifetime), non-toxic, odorless, doesn't go rancid, doesn't get gummy, and most importantly it prevents rust. If you decide to get some, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
 
I love the stuff. If you buy it at the tool stores, it's extremely expensive. But you can buy it on Ebay cheaper. Right now the cheapest is $12.50 for 16 oz. [Active link Deleted per BF rule] but I've gotten it for much less. I put a few drops of clove oil in it to make choji oil, or if I'm going to oil a kris or keris, I put some sandalwood oil and Jasmine oil. My keris likes that. It told me so.;)

I've seen no gumming up on my antique blades, and the rust prevention seems to be good.

The stuff is even good for your skin. It's used in a lot of high end cosmetics.

I don't think it has any tannic acid in it, or at least it's in extremely low concentrations. I doubt it would harm wood or leather, but I've only been using it for a year or two.

Steve
 
Deal Spotting is covered specifically in the rules as posted by Spark, not me.

It's in the FAQs, link available in my sig.
 
You're a good man Steve...thanks for your understanding.
 
Thanks Steve, think I know which one it is on evilbay....
Also found this own-branded on a reputable UK tool store (Axminster) website, priced at £7.52 ($14.89):
Imported from Japan, Camellia oil is a natural vegetable oil that has been used for centuries by Japanese craftsmen as protection against corrosion. For practical purposes the natural camellia oil is blended with other light oils produce a low viscosity protective oil. It has a pleasant smell and used regularly forms an effective barrier against rust and corrosion. Available in a pump spray bottle 240ml.
 
Hmm...no active links but plenty of terms for the various search engines...I like that!
 
ferguson said:
The stuff is even good for your skin. It's used in a lot of high end cosmetics.
Click to expand...
I can attest to that. I swear that it keeps my hand from getting sore and blistering as quickly under extended use. I know that traditional Japanese hair combs are soaked in camellia oil, so it must be wood-friendly enough. I just started using it on wood myself, but so far the results are great.
 
Rusty Slate was enamored (not quite sure I should use that term) with Karma Sutra oil for his khuks.

He was very scrupulous. We always abided by the "don't ask, don't tell" rules of the Cantina.:D
 
I use it on my swords and khuks. I get mine from Japan Woodworker.
Terry
 
never heard of it. yet another magic oil to obtain and try :>

bladite
 
Camellia is the genus for the plants which include flowering ornamentals and the tea plant. Most don't know that the tea plant grows an oily fruit about the size of a nickel. A high quality oil is extracted and is used for cooking and many other purposes. The pure camellia (tea) oil may be found in a well stocked oriental food store. It is more expensive than other cooking oils. As previously noted the industrial version of "camellia oil" is a blend of the natural tea oil and petroleum oils.
 
Just try googling "tea oil". I bought a can-with-screw-top of this from a prominent-in-the-U.S. semi-gourmet tea company, I'm guessing about 16 oz., a couple of years ago, think I paid about 10-12 bucks for it, and have used it for knives. Pro: it seems to protect blades nicely; maybe con: it seems to solidify over many months or a year or so, but still stays on the blade, etc. I do think I'm noticing a change in the smell of the oil left in the can--I don't think it's bad, but it might be less-than-odorless in a few more years.

I've noticed that the solidified tea oil coating on my khukuris tends to turn a little green where it's in contact with brass--which may be due to the tea oil's reaction with the brass, or, at least equally likely, to whatever more-reactive chemicals are left in the hide coverings for the scabbards. No big deal--I just recognize that after long-term storage in the scabbard, a khukuri will need its brass polished for that good-as-new look.


One thing I've mentioned before: I'd think four or five times about adding aromatic oils or flavorings to anything I used to treat my outdoor gear, just because I'm betting Mr. Bear won't be able to tell the oil of clove mixed in with the tea oil on my ang khola from the spices in a Cinnabon, when smelled through the fabric of my tent. I love the idea of the clove scent, for instance, but for the reason mentioned above, I stick with the much-less-aromatic tea oil for hardware preservation.
 
Camellia oil is a natural vegetable oil. Meaning it can be consumed. We might used oiled knife to cut or slice fruits, vegetables etc with less worry that it would cause poisoning. In South East Asia we traditionally oil knives and parangs with coconut oil. Anyhow I guess camellia oil is very much better in many aspects of quality.

NEPAL HO!
 
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