[DANANG'69]

What is the preferred oil to use on folders that are used from time to time for food prep?

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Good old mineral oil works well. It's what a lot of carbon bladed, traditional folder guys use. You can find it in the laxative section of the drug or grocery store. So you know it's food safe. Just don't drink it. Not much anyway.

I'm sure there are modern non-petroleum base lubes other can mention. I think Tuf-Glide is one, but don't quote me on that one.

 

[frogfurr]

I have used this for many years and like it. It's thick like honey and protects a carbon steel blade for a long time. A drop goes a long way. Whether it is food safe or not I do not know.

http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=RF125

 

[shane45-1911]

Rand CLP is vegetable oil based. While I wouldn't drink it, it should be safe if remnants get on your Subway sandwich.

 

[mkk41]

Food-grade silicone spray.

 

[Capt. Methane]

I did some research on preserving metals and came across a study for museums that suggested wax protected the metal in firearms from corrosion for long term storage better than oils and greases.

I don't see why it wouldn't work on knives also. Get some canning paraffin from the grocery store, warm the blade slightly and apply a little wax...

your question may just have answered an issue I was facing, thanks!

 

[Raylan Givens]

What about Lubriplate?

 

[huntsman22]

Why not just wipe it off on yer pants leg first? Don't matter which oil ya use thatta way......

 

[Evil-Twin]

Curious question..

Food safe oil... for a knife... they do sell soap, that will effective clean off any type of contaminants. I would be more worried about what that knife comes in contact with in your pocket or in a scabbard or the non food contact it makes in other functions of carrying a knife.. If you are going to use it to cut food, wash it off first...I've used my knife to clean dog crap and deer crap out of my boots in the woods.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

I don't know if you're running modern or traditional folders. With traditionals I and others would actually drop the knife in a jar of mineral oil once or twice a year for a day then wipe it down good and work the excess oil out of the joints and wipe the whole knife down a time or two until it wasn't slippery anymore. We did it with bone, stag, and even some wood scaled knives, but mostly bone and stag. The MO would sort of refurb and refresh the bone and stag, work it's way into the joints. After wiping and cleaning back up (rags, pipe cleaners and such, not cleaning fluid) it was back into the pocket.

Mineral oil is $3-5 for a quart and easy to find. You don't need a heavy coat on the blade. Just wipe some on, then wipe it off and it leaves a little film behind. If you are going to store a knife so lubed for a long time you should check it once in a while or use something more suitable for long term, but for a daily user MO is a good, inexpensive oil that is definitely food safe when bought in a grocery or drug store.

I get where you are coming from. If you use your knife a lot to cut some fruit or veggies, maybe your lunch, then you don't want to be having it coated in CLP or some petrochemical lube. That's why I use mineral oil on any carbon or stainless knives I know will likely be used on food things throughout the day. Otherwise I use CLP, SLIP 2000, or some similar lube.

 

[Capt. Methane]

What about Lubriplate?

Which one? I don't think the calcium based 130A grease for your M-1 and 1911 is actually rated as "food safe" but I'm not sure.

On the other hand Lubriplate manufactures a full line of greases and I would be surprised if they didn't have one that was food safe!

 

[Capt. Methane]

Food safe oil... for a knife... they do sell soap, that will effective clean off any type of contaminants. I would be more worried about what that knife comes in contact with in your pocket or in a scabbard or the non food contact it makes in other functions of carrying a knife.. If you are going to use it to cut food, wash it off first...I've used my knife to clean dog crap and deer crap out of my boots in the woods.

Huh, I've used my knife to put a point on a stick to dig crap out of the lugs of my boots but not my knife itself...

 

[Steely Dorn]

Frog lube. Kinda pricey but completely safe for food prep.

 

[DANANG'69]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm now tying the mineral oil on my EDC and will see if it lubes effectively w/o 'gumming up' over time. Will surely be non-toxic.

 

[TRSOtto]

Dunno.

I've never oiled a kitchen knife. Mine are all SS.

 

[DANANG'69]

Dunno.

I've never oiled a kitchen knife. Mine are all SS.

Sure, but a folder, esp. 'assisted' or auto, works better with lubrication.

 

[Capt. Methane]

Sure, but a folder, esp. 'assisted' or auto, works better with lubrication.

This is a double edged sword though if you'll excuse the obvious pun. In the works of the auto/assist mechanism a wet lube like mineral oil is going to attract lint, grit and other dirt which will accelerate wear at the least and could eventually gum up and interfere with operation-which can be overcome with frequent leaning and re-lubing but it requires extra maintenance time.

So perhaps a dry spray silicone for the moving parts and a very light coating of mineral oil on the blade?

 

[TRSOtto]

This is a double edged sword though if you'll excuse the obvious pun. In the works of the auto/assist mechanism a wet lube like mineral oil is going to attract lint, grit and other dirt which will accelerate wear at the least and could eventually gum up and interfere with operation-which can be overcome with frequent leaning and re-lubing but it requires extra maintenance time.

So perhaps a dry spray silicone for the moving parts and a very light coating of mineral oil on the blade?

Agree. I'm 54 and have carried a pocket knife since I was 7. I never encountered the need to oil a knife, even when I carried one with a carbon steel blade. Carbon steel just took on a nice patina the first time you ever cut an apple.

Sometimes I carry a ZT 560 Hinderer. I've yet to encounter a need to oil that knife as well.

I guess the theories to lubing a knife are just as varied as those to lube a 1911.

 

[Capt. Methane]

Oh, I'll oil them but I'll clean them too...but I don't have any auto or assisted opening knives.

 

[Barbarosa]

I agree with Huntsman, been doing that ever since my first pocket knife with no ill effects and I'm 55.