Oil or wax on knife blades?

[SUP]

I have been searching online and several sites say waxes are best for knife blades while other recommend oils.

I have been using food grade mineral oil on the blades on my knives. I am wondering whether  waxes are better and I need to shift to using that?

Could I get some advice on this please?

 

[fredk]

At the end of a season playing at knights we (my family) used beeswax. A wash down, and towel dry, then a thick coating of beeswax. I also used to use beeswax on my sports fencing swords. Another chap had scabbards made using sheepskin with the woolie to the inside. The woolie was loaded with natural lanolin which lubricated his blades and kept the damp off the iron or steel

Food grade oil is good on blades which will come into contact with food.

On other metal blade tools such as handsaws, chisels et cetera I always use a thin oil such as 3-in-1, or if I'm desperate, old used engine oil

[SUP]

@fredk I  just used the food grade mineral oil as I had it at home.

I will go look for the 3-in-one. A thinner oil is better. Thank you. I did not know that.

 

[Gezzer]

If what you have been doing has protected them thus far ...... I see no need to change .   " If it ain't broke , don't fix it "

[fredk]

4 hours ago, fredk said:

At the end of a season playing at knights we (my family) used beeswax. A wash down, and towel dry, then a thick coating of beeswax. . . .

errr, I meant to put 'on our swords and daggers as well as the armour' - not on US. That would have been a bit tooo kinky!  

[doubleh]

From long personal experience paste wax is superior to oil for rust protection. Oil works but doesn't last as long as wax does. Wax also neutralizes fingerprints which oil doesn't.

[SUP]

@doubleh would that be like the wax you get from Montana Knife Company?

[bruce johnson]

I am convinced there are about as many treatments as there are restorers and collectors. One of the favorite commercial ones is Renassaince Wax. I like that one pretty well. I haven’t used Josh’s mix from Montana Knife yet. Boeshield is good. Easy Glide for power tool beds is OK too. Lots of homemade formulas around. , beeswax/boiled linseed oil/mineral spirits, paraffin and different solvents, carnauba mixes, etc. there’s a bunch. 

[dikman]

If you're talking about using knives then a quick wipe with oil is as good as anything. As they're used any coating will soon wear off and oil is a quick way to re-coat them again. If you're talking about preserving blades then a wax coating would be better.

As Bruce said if you search for wax coatings you will find almost as many recipes as there are blades!

Johnson's Paste Wax (not available here in Australia) appears to be a popular choice for almost everything that needs waxing!

[doubleh]

11 hours ago, SUP said:

@doubleh would that be like the wax you get from Montana Knife Company?

I use ordinary Johnson's paste wax . It is no longer available but Min-Wax has about the same thing. One little tub will last for many years as long as you keep it sealed when not in use. If I use the knife regularly I use nothing, the benefit of residing in a low humidity area.

Edited June 24, 2023 by doubleh