WD-40 Poll (this is the one YOU want)

[cornflower]

What are your feelings about WD-40 in sword maintenance?

1. I LOVE WD-40 and use it regularly.
2. It works well, for me, but I dont use it regularly
3. I don't use it.
4. I have better stuff
5. I HATE it!

[cornflower]

Sorry Sorry Sorry! Ooopsie!!!

[TheArmourer]

I've never seen any need for it.

[Inquartata]

I have never needed it, either. And since it was invented not as a preservative but as an agent for loosening rusted or otherwise stuck parts, and contains solvents, I wouldn't use it on my weapons. Especially if I were a foilist or epeeist, with little moving parts and glued-in wires on them...

If I wanted a preservative, I'd use simple garden-variety paste wax, which doesn't evaporate and can be wiped off much more easily. But honestly, any fencing blade is far more likely to get broken long before rust becomes an issue. And if appearance matters, an occasional quick scrubbing with a scotch pad or sandpaper is much easier than putting on and taking off oil at every use.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I dunno. My blades (fleche) typically last me around six months of heavy use, so I see merit in sanding them cause nobody likes having rust stains on their jacket.

[grotto]

never used it, Are you asking whether we use it for blade cleaning / getting rid or glue residue?

[neevel]

For armory work, I use the stuff just as it is intended-- to free up stuck, rusty parts (such as the bearings of Uhlmann reels). It's not intended as something to prevent rust. Since I use maraging blades, preventing rust on my weapons isn't a big problem.

-Dave

[npkeith]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I have never needed it, either. And since it was invented not as a preservative but as an agent for loosening rusted or otherwise stuck parts, (snip).

I thought it WAS invented as a preservative - the WD part stands for something like Water Deterrant, and was supposed to stop missile parts from corroding. The fact that it works as a penetrating oil is just gravy.
-Keith

[cornflower]

Yeah! I thought it was for a preservative as well. WD-40 has many uses, in addition to cleaning off rust, which I really think works. And my dad got out a bit of gum that got REALLY stuck in my skirt once with WD-40. So yeah, it rocks.

[cornflower]

Originally Posted by grotto

never used it, Are you asking whether we use it for blade cleaning / getting rid or glue residue?

For pretty much anything sword, fencing-related. Do you use it at all?

[latenight]

"And since it was invented not as a preservative but as an agent for loosening rusted or otherwise stuck parts"


In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry, in a small lab in San Diego, California.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40 to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some WD-40 cans out of the plant to use at home.---from the company website.

I use it sometimes, but sparingly!!!!

[grotto]

Originally Posted by cornflower

For pretty much anything sword, fencing-related. Do you use it at all?

yes I use it alot around the house etc. but never on my fencing equipment. And my wife thinks it is the liquid cure all, squeaking hinge WD-40. bad sounding truck springs or bearing WD-40 Seazed motor WD-40, flat bank acct. WD-40.

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by grotto

yes I use it alot around the house etc. but never on my fencing equipment. And my wife thinks it is the liquid cure all, squeaking hinge WD-40. bad sounding truck springs or bearing WD-40 Seazed motor WD-40, flat bank acct. WD-40.

Also a good remedy for the heartbtreak of psoriasis, dental plaque, hemorrhoids, crablice, baldness and... sore muscles.

[MyraTrue]

I do use WD 40, but pretty much only for rust on my blades. Which happens when the humidity is high durring the summer. So I use it a couple times a year tops, but it does exactly what I need it to, coupled with some steel wool.

[Inquartata]

Here's the company's website. http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40.cfm


Latenight, I couldn't find the passage you posted there. Note that most of the recommended uses include cleaning and lubrication, not preservation of metal. Check out the link to the MSDS for the product as well. If preservation was the main intended use those solvents aren't really necessary...

[swordsen]

Ooops. I answered before reading. I use wd-40 all the time but not on my weapons. Oil in the tip attracts dirt.

[latenight]

http://www.wd40.com/AboutUs/our_history.html

[Inquartata]

Hmm. Marketing puffery, maybe. Because if that much effort was really put into developing a substitute for existing protectants, it was effort largely wasted---the volatile agents in the formula evaporate, and they take the oil with them. The stuff is great for some uses, but as a rust preventive? Not so much.

[elberto]

Originally Posted by neevel

For armory work, I use the stuff just as it is intended-- to free up stuck, rusty parts (such as the bearings of Uhlmann reels). It's not intended as something to prevent rust. Since I use maraging blades, preventing rust on my weapons isn't a big problem.

-Dave

I agree with your usage - I never lubricate tips of weapons... If they get rusty clean them but lubricating can sometimes carry the circuit at the wrong time (like that vital 14-14 de bout with a double hit andyour weapon shorts... oops.. and you can't reproduce the fault as it is intermittant)

rusty blades - ye olde sandpaper first then wd 40 or oil.... an occasional magaging blade but many other types.. the joy of club armourer and general dogs body..

yep spools.. but I hate repairing spools... doesn't mean I don't do it but I still hate it...

[AdventureDiva]

i thought WD-40 was for lubrication...

but that just goes to show you how much i know about WD-40

~Rachael~