Pivot Lube Advice (PB)

dvldog5811

dvldog5811

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Needing some opinions from members that have more experience than an FNG like me.
What type of lube have you found works better and lasts longer with a folder running on PB washers? Newer model Medford's to be more specific.
I'm trying to figure out if I should go with a grease or a good viscosity oil. Any brand recommendations would be great.
I've got a good 25 weight oil that I use on firearms and some grease that I know I've seen recommended somewhere but not sure which would be better or maybe a small amount of both?? I'm not worried about food grade or not. The pic is what I've got on hand. Thanks all, be safe!!
pivot lube.jpg
 
Was listening to a Knifemodders live feed yesterday and they strongly recommend Super Lube for PB washers. I haven't tried it yet, but I definitely will next time I have a washer knife apart for cleaning. Those guys know their stuff.
 
3D Anvil said:
Was listening to a Knifemodders live feed yesterday and they strongly recommend Super Lube for PB washers. I haven't tried it yet, but I definitely will next time I have a washer knife apart for cleaning. Those guys know their stuff.
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I knew I had seen it somewhere. Just happened to have some in my tool box. I think I'll try it first then maybe try gunny glide next time, compare the two. Thanks!
 
Just a note that the PB washers - strictly speaking - don't need lube at all when broken in (they are "self-lubricating :) ). The lube is for the pivot itself, steel on steel, so anything works. Of course something will spill on the washers. If you use oil (which I do), make sure it doesn't attack brass (gun oil usually does).
 
ferider said:
Just a note that the PB washers - strictly speaking - don't need lube at all when broken in (they are "self-lubricating :) ). The lube is for the pivot itself, steel on steel, so anything works. Of course something will spill on the washers. If you use oil (which I do), make sure it doesn't attack brass (gun oil usually does).
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Great advice, never thought of it. Thanks!
 
If I remember right, in one of Gregs videos he said not to mess with it. That what they use is good for the life of the knife. Again, I could be wrong on that. You could check is Youtube channel, it was a good while ago.

Scott Gunn seems to be putting quality stuff out there.
 
KPL or Benchmade Blue are what I typically use. I have several knife oriented lubes but those are the 2 that I have the most of and have had no negative indications with either.

As stated gun lubes/cleaners will likely attack the brass.

Grease can hold dirt and debris which will increase wear over time.
 
Simple non-food based oil. Rem Oil, Break Free, 3-in-1 and the like. I use a homemade concoction called Ed’s Red.
 
I use blue lube sometimes. The majority get Boeshield T-9, especially the tool steels as is leaves a protective layer.
 
What's wrong just synthetic motor oil, like Mobil 1? If it can protect the internal parts of an engine, it sure can protect the knives that you really don't flip it open all the time(even 100 times a day is not that much compare to car engine). That's what I am using on my Steel Will knives with phosphors broncs washer..
 
Motor oil is a very different beast to what you want for a low pressure, low temp situation. While it has a lot of lubricity, in a modern engine, the oil acts as much as a coolant as it does a lubricant and also has components to trap water and allow it to evaporate later when heated. (an engine running well under ideal temps is not a good thing, I know this the hard way)

As for greases, graphene is cool, I wouldn't get it near food, and it's long-term health considerations are not well known, but suspected to be not great (wouldn't want to make composite scales with asbestos even if you knew it was going to stay "mostly" intact over its life right?) a straight lithium soap grease is probably fine (if not at all worried about food) and if food is a concern, I'd look for one of the many food grade bearing greases used in commercial machinery. The "food grade" part is probably just that it's their normal grease with more care to contaminants, but if all you are ever buying is a small tube, it's not like the expense is going to be a major factor. For what it's worth, I've had more gear rust while using gun oils, 3-in-1 and the like than other stuff. That said, I'm sure ballistol would be a good choice, as many folks who run antiques have good luck with it, and I've also had good luck with Ren Wax. but it's not really a lubricant as such.
 
I just don't think the lube is that critical, as long as it's thick enough but not too thick. from 10 to 40 is a reasonable range. The pivot is NOT a high wear point, so if you flip 100 times a day, it's nothing. If people worry too much, just re-lube periodically. This is NOT precision stuff. For smoother operation, I would polish the PB washer. I run mine on the fine honing stone to make it smoother. That's it. This is a TOOL after all, it's not a Rolex watch.
 
In my opinion there’s no better product than Gunny Glide. The graphene outlasts anything else I’ve tried.
 
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