Gun lube for blades?

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
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Checked out a gun shop today and saw rows upon rows of lubricant/protectant products. Some for specific parts of the gun, but many seemingly just for general, non-specific use. No ingredients given on any of them, and minimal description and usage instructions. Mostly stuff like: "Prevents rust and corrosion. Lubricates moving parts. Safe on metals, plastics, etc." So, is this a case of a lube is a lube is a lube? I know, just use mineral oil and shut up already. I do and I will, but I'm just curious.
 
I'd say that a lube is not just a lube.

Everyone seems to have their favorite, including mineral oil.

For knife pivots, I use Shooter's Choice FP-10.
I have used Tuf-Glide, Militec, CLP Breakfree and others as well.

They each have different characteristics.
 
I use OTIS ULTRABORE to lube, and HOPPES #9 for cleaning,. cooking, cologne....... (kidding on the last two....)
 
Aside from preference there are a few different applications for lube. Most knifes with phosphor bronze washers and polished pivot area on the blade only need a little bit of thin lube. Dry lubes work well for these knives. On a lesser refined knife like my Strider SnG a gel lube is better. It will gap fill better and makes for a smooth action. I like Tuff-Glide for something like a CRK folder or a high end precision pivot knife. For a workhorse like Strider Tuff-Glide works great, but a teflon bearing grease works much better.
 
I use Militec-1 on my guns and knives, religiously. I've never had a problem with rust, or build-up of gunk. This stuff is great in my book. My M4 loves it, and my squads' maching gunner preferred it over BreakFree CLP.
 
As others have mentioned, FP-10, BreakFree CLP and Militec-1 are excellent lubricants, each with different characteristics. Working conditions of firearms are obviously much different than knives, but can be much more demanding, and so these and other products intended for firearms' use are IMO some of the best lubricants you can find. Personally I like Militec-1 for knife pivots, with FP-10 a close second ... but note that Militec-1, if "cured" using heat per directions leaves a dry film that doesn't tend to attract lint/dirt, a big plus for knives that get carried in a pocket.
 
Guns are much more demanding than knives when it comes to lube, due to the high heat and extreme amount of friction involved. Yes, you can use any good gun oil on a knife, but if the knife is going to come into contact with food at any point (and I'm betting it will), stick with the mineral oil.
 
As somebody said, different stuff for different jobs is probably the optimum solution however, being the lazy SOB that I am I have chosen a compromise that I use on all of my knives both fixed and folder.

Tuff Glide and Tuff Cloth. It can be used on anything, protects and lubricates, doesn't attract lint and other crud and isn't messy.

A bunch of different things is probably good, but if you just want one thing you can grab when necessary, give the Tuff Glide stuff a go.
 
rmfnla said:
We've descussed mineral oil extensively in another thread.

I got a 32 oz. bottle at Ikea (for dressing cutting boards) for $2.99; kinda hard to beat, no?
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Nothing wrong with mineral oil, and it's certainly cheap enough. Trouble is with oils is that they can be lint and dirt magnets which is why I prefer the synthetics like Tuff Glide and such.
 
I'm a little late on this thread but for what it's worth I usually reach for Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube for all of my folders. As a mountain bike and road bike enthusiast I always have this stuff somewhere. It forms a nice dry film that doesn't attract grime.
 
gajinoz said:
Nothing wrong with mineral oil, and it's certainly cheap enough. Trouble is with oils is that they can be lint and dirt magnets which is why I prefer the synthetics like Tuff Glide and such.
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The secret is to use a really tiny amount.

I dab literally about a pin head's worth on the back of the blade right under the backspring. I work the action back and forth a few times to spread it around and I'm good.

I've used synthetics, too, and had no complaints.
 
Over the years I have used a lot of different lubes on guns and knives. My choice today is Mil-Tec and Blue Lube by Benchmade. The Blue Lube makes my knives extremely smooth and quick to open. I think I read the Blue Lube is a type of dry lube and has rust resistant properties. Mil-tec has no rust preventive abililty. I do like the dry lubes as some lubes I like do attract dust and lint.

RKH
 
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