what oil for hand plane maintenance?

[Michael Mathews]

I saw in a video someone used Camellia oil to clean up hand planes after each use before putting them away, to keep them looking like new over many years of use. I'm curious to see what others use and if you recommend Camellia oil, what type? I see cold pressed, and I do see some for blades, but they seem to be much more expensive. Is this due to a different processing? or just hype? Please share how you maintain your hand planes! and thanks!

 

[Jeff]

Mike Davis likes real Japanese camellia oil. I bought some and Mike told me that's the same one that his daughter got him. I think that this is the one but the label is entirely in Japanese (3.5 oz).

Amazon.com: KUROBARA 100% Pure Tsubaki Japanese Knife Maintenance Camellia Oil (3.5 oz): Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: KUROBARA 100% Pure Tsubaki Japanese Knife Maintenance Camellia Oil (3.5 oz): Kitchen & Dining

www.amazon.com

 

[KenOfCary]

I use Camellia Oil to protect my hand planes. It is a very fine oil and other oils that have the same consistency would probably work as well. You don't want anything that is thick that would eventually gum things up. I didn't look into it deeply and just bought a spray bottle of it from one of the WW Dealers, either Klingspor or Woodcraft.

 

[Mike Davis]

If you want to go cheap mineral oil works fine.

 

[Dreuxgrad]

jojoba, but viscosity increases in cold temps

 

[TENdriver]

Michael,

Lie-Nielsen sells Jojoba oil for maintaining the planes they make.

I am not advocating for or against any product. Just mentioning what product they offer.

Lie-Nielsen Tool Care Kit

Lie-Nielsen Tool Care Kit Rust is the enemy of fine tools and sharp blades. This handy kit contains everything you’ll need to keep your tools and blades rust-free. The kit includes: Jojoba Oil (8-oz. bottle) Uniwrap rust-inhibiting paper (10 sheets) Bronze Polishing Cloths (2) Microfiber Cloths...

www.lie-nielsen.com

 

[Michael Mathews]

If you want to go cheap mineral oil works fine.

I didn't say I wanted to go cheap, I was just wondering what the difference was between the different Camellia oils listed on Amazon.

 

[Michael Mathews]

I'm looking at this link below. I have some older hand planes that we're purchased on eBay and craigslist that had some rust that could still use some TLC!

Amazon.com: Yoshihiro TSOIL 100% Pure Tsubaki Japanese Knife Maintenance Oil With Complimentary Sabitori Rust Eraser, 3.4 oz, Large, Golden Yellow: Cutlery Accessories: Gateway

Online shopping for Kitchen Knives & Accessories from a great selection of Cutlery Sets, Specialty Knives, Sharpeners, Cutting Boards, & more at everyday low prices.

smile.amazon.com

 

[gator]

I have never used anything on the few planes I have (and I don't use them often either). My question is - would not the oil transfer to the wood as you use the plane or is the amount so minuscule that it doesn't matter?

 

[Graywolf]

Any non drying oil will work. Some smell better than others. George to answer your question, no it will not harm the piece you are working on, a couple passes and the oil is gone. When you oil a plane it's a very thin coat and not a liberal coating. I hope this helps.

 

[Melinapex]

I am sure this is heresy but I use plain old 3 in one oil on a rag to wipe down my hand tools. Got that from watching Paul Sellers...

 

[mdbuntyn]

I am sure this is heresy but I use plain old 3 in one oil on a rag to wipe down my hand tools. Got that from watching Paul Sellers...

It's not heresy at all. The reason for using camellia, jojoba, or pure mineral oil is to reduce chemical exposure. It's my understanding that 3-in-1 oil is essentially mineral oil with an additive

 

[Gofor]

Pretty much any thin non-drying oil will work, as will wax. A mix of beeswax and mineral oil will work well for seldom used tools (i.e. long storage), but is a bit thick for daily maintenance. (requires a wipe on, wipe off, technique). I use it for my specialty planes and hand saws. I do not like pure beeswax because it actually is a bit sticky, and when polished out actually increases friction, unlike paraffin, or paste wax. Johnsons paste wax works, as does neatsfoot oil.

Whatever you use, ensure it does not contain any silicone. The silicone will transfer into the wood, and cause adhesion problems with glues and numerous problems with finishes. This is especially a factor to consider if using an automotive wax.

 

[EXKid]

I use Glide Coat, but overspray can be a bit of a pain to get off the japanning. But since I already have it on hand for the table saw... aside from that I use Marvel, again because i have it on hand.

Sometimes i wonder if Lie-Neilsen and the Chris Schwarz’s of the world try to find the most obscure solutions, just to be difficult. Jojoba oil? Really? Would it kill them to suggest something i can get at any hardware store in the country?

 

[Mike Davis]

Ok, somebody is going to hate on me for this, before my daughter got me the camellia oil I used Ballistol ‘multi purpose sportsman’s oil’.

The smell is too much for some people, others love it. It stops rust cold. Lubricates leather, finished wood, all types of metal, electrical contacts, etc.

The bottle says it contains mineral oil, doesn’t say what else.

 

[Hmerkle]

...I used Ballistol ‘multi purpose sportsman’s oil’.

The bottle says it contains mineral oil, doesn’t say what else.

So it performs (Stops rust cold) BETTER than just mineral oil? that is why you are saying there must be something else in it?

 

[EXKid]

Ok, somebody is going to hate on me for this, before my daughter got me the camellia oil I used Ballistol ‘multi purpose sportsman’s oil’.

The smell is too much for some people, others love it. It stops rust cold. Lubricates leather, finished wood, all types of metal, electrical contacts, etc.

The bottle says it contains mineral oil, doesn’t say what else.

Does it smell like Hoppes?

 

[Mike Davis]

Worse

 

[Michael Mathews]

thanks for all the terrific comments! I think I'm going to order some Camellia oil from Smile.Amazon.com and see how that goes. This is why I love this community so much!

 

[Gofor]

I use Glide Coat, but overspray can be a bit of a pain to get off the japanning. But since I already have it on hand for the table saw... aside from that I use Marvel, again because i have it on hand.

Sometimes i wonder if Lie-Neilsen and the Chris Schwarz’s of the world try to find the most obscure solutions, just to be difficult. Jojoba oil? Really? Would it kill them to suggest something i can get at any hardware store in the country?

Paul Sellers says he uses 3-in-1 oil.