Oils/Protectants - What's Best For Swords?
Aug 5, 2019 22:45:39 GMT
Post by whattheheck on Aug 5, 2019 22:45:39 GMT
I realize this might bring as wide a variety of answers as asking people on a gun forum what is the best gun oil/lubricant, but I am curious what the people here feel is best for cleaning and/or maintaining a sword.
I have been considering the following options but please feel free to suggest any others you might like.
Renaissance Wax - This seems to be great stuff and I like where I have used it, but I have only seen it in small containers for higher prices and it takes longer to apply than liquid oils. However, a little seems to go a long way.
Choji Oil - I bought this recently to use on the two katanas I have since this was traditional. I am wondering how people feel about using it on other types of swords/knives. I am guessing what is good for the goose is good for the gander, but I have not tried it on anything except katanas and I have not used it long enough to really have an opinion other than it smells pretty good.
Ballistol - I ran into this a few years ago and now use it for any firearms that have organic components (wood, leather, etc.). It was designed during WWII to be used for protection and restoration of both metal and leather and seems to do pretty well in my opinion. I am thinking that its friendliness towards organic materials and ease of use might make it good for protecting any sword and scabbard combination. It is supposed to work on a wide variety of items and some people supposedly even used it as a tonic! However, I will stick with using it on guns and blades. Also, while non-toxic, this stuff smells like a mix of black licorice and dirty locker rooms. The smell dissipates quickly, but it is pretty potent at first.
MP (Metal Protector) - This is an AMSOIL product that was recommended to me years ago by a gunsmith that I knew. It works really well on firearms since it protects well, is safe for most other materials, and also will lubricate the action of a firearm. I have left guns coated with this for years and there was no corrosion or residual stickiness when I pulled them out again. However, it does leave a weird finish, so I am leaning away from using this on blades unless I want to leave them in storage for a while.
WD-40 - I don't use this on firearms as it can leave a gummy finish after extensive use that has been reported to cause jamming of actions with tight tolerances. I am thinking the idea of a gummy finish on a sword also seems unappealing, but it's WD-40. It's cheap and it's everywhere so I thought I would see what people thought about it.
I have been considering the following options but please feel free to suggest any others you might like.
Renaissance Wax - This seems to be great stuff and I like where I have used it, but I have only seen it in small containers for higher prices and it takes longer to apply than liquid oils. However, a little seems to go a long way.
Choji Oil - I bought this recently to use on the two katanas I have since this was traditional. I am wondering how people feel about using it on other types of swords/knives. I am guessing what is good for the goose is good for the gander, but I have not tried it on anything except katanas and I have not used it long enough to really have an opinion other than it smells pretty good.
Ballistol - I ran into this a few years ago and now use it for any firearms that have organic components (wood, leather, etc.). It was designed during WWII to be used for protection and restoration of both metal and leather and seems to do pretty well in my opinion. I am thinking that its friendliness towards organic materials and ease of use might make it good for protecting any sword and scabbard combination. It is supposed to work on a wide variety of items and some people supposedly even used it as a tonic! However, I will stick with using it on guns and blades. Also, while non-toxic, this stuff smells like a mix of black licorice and dirty locker rooms. The smell dissipates quickly, but it is pretty potent at first.
MP (Metal Protector) - This is an AMSOIL product that was recommended to me years ago by a gunsmith that I knew. It works really well on firearms since it protects well, is safe for most other materials, and also will lubricate the action of a firearm. I have left guns coated with this for years and there was no corrosion or residual stickiness when I pulled them out again. However, it does leave a weird finish, so I am leaning away from using this on blades unless I want to leave them in storage for a while.
WD-40 - I don't use this on firearms as it can leave a gummy finish after extensive use that has been reported to cause jamming of actions with tight tolerances. I am thinking the idea of a gummy finish on a sword also seems unappealing, but it's WD-40. It's cheap and it's everywhere so I thought I would see what people thought about it.