Is Ballistol Oil any good as a lubricant?

ZombieCake

Well-known member
Came across a product called Ballistol while looking at tool reviews:

https://www.ballistolstore.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home  and is available as a spray, 50ml bottles, etc.

Seems to be an interesting possible alternative to WD40, GT85, 3-in-1, etc. Has anyone used it and does it match the hype?  Might be useful for reducing the possibilities of corrosion on various bits and pieces as well as oiling joints.
 

Fulk

Well-known member
Interesting ? considering it's been around for more than a hundred years (and is a 'home-grown British product', as it were) it's odd that I've never heard of it before.
 

droid

Active member
Depends what you want it for.

WD 40 is a water dispersant not a lubricant. GT85 is good for getting road scuzz off a bike. 3in1 is the only real lubricant.

If you want to free stuck components PlusGas Liquid is better than owt else.

Horses for courses.
 

Roger W

Well-known member
droid said:
It's gun oil. Bit specialist I'd have thought.

They seem to do a number of different varieties for spraying on metal equipment, clothing, horses' tails, etc. Make sure you choose the right one for the purpose!
 

ZombieCake

Well-known member
It's gun oil. Bit specialist I'd have thought.

Gun Oil - but what if there's cave monsters?  I wonder if there'll be a Petzl Flintlock? I suppose it could stop an ice axe from rusting too much before the owner got eaten.

On a more normal note I think I might try a bottle or two of their potions.  Wipes seem good to give a quick  and convenient clean / protective layer without the hassle of sprays and kitchen roll.

There's a video from German Tool Reviews about it I've just found that looks interesting (no rubbish songs, honest!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc4EIjuraEQ

 

Maj

Active member
ZombieCake said:
Might be useful for reducing the possibilities of corrosion on various bits and pieces as well as oiling joints.

Were you thinking for tools or metal caving kit components?
You probably wouldn't want to coat all your caving metalwork with something that would be detrimental to your "soft" kit.

I have some Tri-Flon that I'm thinking of using on the pivot points etc of my caving gear.
I have used a few small drops of it on my loft ladder, which used to grate and screech every time I deployed it. I now have to be careful that it doesn't slide down in an uncontrolled fashion. 

Maj.
 

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ZombieCake

Well-known member
I was thinking more tools, or maybe quick wipe on wet metalware as it mixes with water before proper cleaning.  Like the idea of that teflon stuff.
Seems many more products are available from their German outlet, including human repair products and first aid kits!  https://www.ballistol-shop.de/Body-Care_B_S_40.html  and https://www.ballistol-shop.de/Bundles-Kits-Sets_B_S_165.html
Not sure that WD-40 or 3in1 would do much for the complexion though!
 

PeteHall

Moderator
Ed said:
whats wrong with the fat from the tradition pork pie snack

A caving mate at uni used to grease his bike chain with bacon fat. Worked great until the salt corroded the chain and it snapped half way up a big hill!
 

crickleymal

New member
Maj said:
ZombieCake said:
Might be useful for reducing the possibilities of corrosion on various bits and pieces as well as oiling joints.

Were you thinking for tools or metal caving kit components?
You probably wouldn't want to coat all your caving metalwork with something that would be detrimental to your "soft" kit.

I have some Tri-Flon that I'm thinking of using on the pivot points etc of my caving gear.
I have used a few small drops of it on my loft ladder, which used to grate and screech every time I deployed it. I now have to be careful that it doesn't slide down in an uncontrolled fashion. 

Maj.
That stuff is brilliant. It used to be specified for the bearings on radiotherapy couched because it's radiation resistant. I used it on my motorbike chain. The chain lasted 3 years or 30k miles before replacement. You'd be lucky to get half that with any other lubricant.
 
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