Oiling a Foil Lame (is a really bad idea)

[Kasha4890]

I'm the president of my university's club, and our current armorer suggested something I've never even thought of; using rem oil on a foil lame to combat rust. Would that cause any issues, or is there any major reason NOT to do this?

Thanks!

[Mr Epee]

Is this the crisis in American education that I've been reading about in the papers?

Good lord, you're the president, man. Make a decision. Be the decider. Also, please report back.

Hint: if you decide to do this deed, try to find an aerosol version for application purposes.

This is awesome. Thanks.

[Mergs]

I would not do that. The kind of corrosion you are trying to control is not a simple oxidation of the metal. Also, you don't know what the affect would be on the underlying fabric, or what kind of reaction you'll get with sweat. I would recommend that depending on the level of use you wash them either at the end of the semester or the school year.

[Pescados666]

I would think that the mineral oil in it would act as an insulator, like in transformer oil.

[Purple Fencer]

As a vendor, I say: go ahead (I can always use the sale)
As an armorer, I say: Whoa. Stop. Cease and desist. Nyet, NEIN!!!!

What prevents rust is NOT putting your wet, sweaty clothing on top of your unprotected blade.

[Inquartata]

ALL foil lames should be oiled---copiously! Also all epee jackets.

[jkormann]

With a light teflon coating to finish. The shinier the better.

[foibles]

Then scotch guard it.

(Then you could also use it for snow skiing).

[the ancient one]

Oil is too messy.
Spray on a thick shiny coat of varnish.

Or if you are down south, bacon grease-for esthetic purposes.

[Mergs]

Or if you are down south, bacon grease-for esthetic purposes.

Or bear grease......

[Inquartata]

Bacon tastes better if you are snowed in or marooned and have to eat your jacket.

Faced with a choice, better the jacket than the epeeist, I reckon.

[Kasha4890]

I feel like this started with serious responses, then quickly devolved into sarcasm =P

We're going to try it out at the end of the semester so we have a month to buy replacements if it goes poorly. As requested by Mr. Epee I'll be reporting the results when we do.

[jkormann]

I feel like this started with serious responses, then quickly devolved into sarcasm =P

Welcome to the Forums!

[Tomas N]

I feel like this started with serious responses, then quickly devolved into sarcasm =P

We're going to try it out at the end of the semester so we have a month to buy replacements if it goes poorly. As requested by Mr. Epee I'll be reporting the results when we do.

I highly recommend limiting your experiment to one lame.

[erooMynohtnA]

I think they should try it on all the lames to get a larger sample size of how awesome it is when it works. What could possibly go wrong?

[jkormann]

We will require captioned pictures of course.

[Purple Fencer]

I feel like this started with serious responses, then quickly devolved into sarcasm =P

We're going to try it out at the end of the semester so we have a month to buy replacements if it goes poorly. As requested by Mr. Epee I'll be reporting the results when we do.

If you insist on doing this -- in spite of a couple of certified armorers telling you NOT to -- I echo the try-it-on-a-single-unit advice.

Just keep me in mind for replacements when you realized you've destroyed the lame.

[erooMynohtnA]

As an equipment retailer it is in your best interest if the lame deteriorates quickly, so it logically follows that you don't want any experiments done that will extend its life. Abominable.

[Purple Fencer]

As an equipment retailer it is in your best interest if the lame deteriorates quickly, so it logically follows that you don't want any experiments done that will extend its life. Abominable.

But as an armorer, it behooves me to give the OP good advice on care of the lame...and oiling it AIN'T a good idea.

[Mergs]

Well, the OP says he'll try it at the end of the semester - how long will it take to see if the experiment works? Are you going to take two new lame`s and oil one and leave the other as a control to see if/how long it takes for the control to corrode and the test article to - well - do what it's going to do? Looking forward to seeing the results in 6 months to a year. FWIW, I think the OP is going to ruin a lame`, but that's my un-educated guess.