Everyone seems settled on mineral oil, what about eucalyptus oil?

C

Chabba chen

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Feb 22, 2016
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I dont remember having visual contact with mineral oil. If i ever get a "work knife" it will be 3in1 oil no questions asked. However, in the interest of: sport, self defense, and defense of liberty i am partial to Japanese swords. I am a PRACTICAL prepper henceforth, i want options in any region and point in time. One maybe more accessible than the other and edibility is versatility. As one of my main personal blades i want it to be able to cut food at any time. I heard eucalyptus oil kills some germs so it sounds like it wont fill my scabbard with molds/ rancid odors/ or gunk. And always smells fresh. Opinions please.
 
Chabba chen said:
I dont remember having visual contact with mineral oil. If i ever get a "work knife" it will be 3in1 oil no questions asked. However, in the interest of: sport, self defense, and defense of liberty i am partial to Japanese swords. I am a PRACTICAL prepper henceforth, i want options in any region and point in time. One maybe more accessible than the other and edibility is versatility. As one of my main personal blades i want it to be able to cut food at any time. I heard eucalyptus oil kills some germs so it sounds like it wont fill my scabbard with molds/ rancid odors/ or gunk. And always smells fresh. Opinions please.
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"More accessible than the other" --> mineral oil (it's everywhere).

"Edibility is versatility" --> 'food safe' mineral oil is completely inert and won't react with the human body at all, and has been used for decades in the food preparation business (lubrication, rust protection of food processing equipment) for this reason.

"Able to cut food at any time" --> again, 'food-safe' mineral oil (see above).

"Won't fill my scabbard with molds/ rancid odors/ or gunk" --> mineral oil is odorless, NEVER goes rancid and doesn't support growth of molds; and no 'gunk' if used sparingly, as it's supposed to be used.

"Always smells fresh" --> if you really need this, you can use scented baby oil (mineral oil w/scent added). Otherwise, food-safe mineral oil smells and tastes like absolutely nothing, which is even better (this means it also won't taint the flavor of your foods as 'fresh' scents often do, BTW).

The above is a list of reasons why many have 'settled' on mineral oil. There's good reason for it. And you can add 'inexpensive' to that list as well. :)


David
 
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I use mineral oil because it is cheap, readily available, food safe, and works. Doesn't gunk up, doesn't smell like oil (doesn't smell like anything in fact).

You can get it as Mineral Oil USP at the pharmacy, Norton Honing Oil at the hardware store, or cutting board oils at Home Depot or kitchen stores. I have some Norton Honing Oil and Howard's Cutting Board Oil already, which I use for their designated purposes, so I use either of them. I prefer the honing and cutting board oils because they are less viscous than the USP variety, and the Norton oil in particular has a dispenser spout making it easy to just put a small drop where you want it.

But if you want to put Eucalyptus oil on your samurai sword for food prep, go for it. Sounds like a good experiment. That's how we all learn.

[video=vimeo;77493750]https://vimeo.com/77493750[/video]
 
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Mineral oil does not act as an antibiotic, while eucalyptus oil does is my main point personally. A scabbard is one deep crevice, how long before its contaminated? Does one clean a scabbard?
 
Chabba chen said:
Mineral oil does not act as an antibiotic antiseptic, while eucalyptus oil does is my main point personally. A scabbard is one deep crevice, how long before its contaminated? Does one clean a scabbard?
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Contaminated with what?
Everything is already contaminated :)
So just like your hands,
wash/clean and rinse your blade, before and after use,
it is effective at reducing levels of poop on your hands for eating purposes,
and on your blade as well
For dishes/knife, you can add a sanitizing or disinfecting step as required
(dealing with raw meat/blood/poop... or in a group/restaurant setting)
If scabbard is wood think of it like a cutting board/chopping block
 
Yep.
Unless your blade has a seriously rough surface, a simple wipe-down with a clean cloth will clean it more than you'd expect.

If you want to really be prepared, keep an antimicrobial cloth (silver impregnated) with your prepper gear.
Wipe the blade with it and some water, and you're good to go.
In fact, those cloths are great for preppers because they can be used for bathing without soap.
No soap = easier water reclamation and reuse if needed.
 
I wouldn't use straight eucalyptus oil on a blade. Straight eucalyptus oil is dangerous if ingested (in more than minute quantity) or in contact with skin. I suppose you could dilute eucalyptus oil in mineral oil. You'll have to do your own research to determine what dilution ratio is safe to use on a food prep blade. More to the point, a sheath is kept clean by not sheathing a dirty blade. If it is a wood sheath/scabbard, there is some research indicating that certain woods have antibacterial properties on their own.
 
eucalyptus oil is pretty nasty stuff, I use it for cleaning around the house. I don't know how corrosive it is, but I'm not planning on testing it on a blade. Not all oils prevent rust.

it is however fantastic for clearing your sinuses, a little in some boiling water, yep, that'll clear ya!
 
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