Why is over-lubricating not recommended?

[Railsplitter]

I see a lot of comments warning against over-lubricating folding knife pivots. The recommendation is usually “just a small drop but don’t over-do it”.

I’m asking about this because the first time I used Tuff Glide I couldn’t see the end of the needle applicator and I accidentally flooded the pivot. In fact, I got Tuff Glide all over the handles and the blade too. I basically saturated the entire knife by accident. It didn’t seem to hurt anything. The action is fine.

Why is over-lubricating such a bad thing?

[Steve Warden]

Only two reasons I can think of:
1) Some oils can stain or damage the handle material
B) It's a waste of oil

[eveled]

It also attracts dust and if way over done contaminate what you are cutting. Not to mention stain your pockets.

[Railsplitter]

Only two reasons I can think of:
1) Some oils can stain or damage the handle material
B) It's a waste of oil

Good points. Especially number 1. I had that happen on a Case knife with Pocket Worn Harvest Orange handles. The lubricant seeped into one of the handle pins and left a small brownish colored spot on the handles.

[Railsplitter]

It also attracts dust and if way over done contaminate what you are cutting. Not to mention stain your pockets.

Thank you.

[Mumbleypeg]

Although some lubrication is a good thing, oil collects and holds dust and dirt, both enemies of the operation of the joint in your pocket knife. Use oil judiciously.

Ken

[Railsplitter]

Although some lubrication is a good thing, oil collects and holds dust and dirt, both enemies of the operation of the joint in your pocket knife. Use oil judiciously.

Ken

Thank you.

[Mumbleypeg]

BTW Tuf-Glide won’t hurt your handle covers, at least none I’m aware of. It is a dry lube (like molybdenum di-sulfide. Look it up) in a mineral spirits carrier. The carrier is used to distribute the dry lube, after which it evaporates leaving the lube behind. Since it’s a dry lube it doesn’t collect dust and dirt, which is why it was invented. So no worries about overuse (except wasting your money). It's a great metal protectant so use it on blades, springs, liners, etc. Wipe it on or apply it and let it dry on the metal parts.

Ken

[Modern Slip Joints]

For what it's worth, probably not much, here's what I do after over oiling a blade pivot. keeping the over oiled end down, wipe off the sides and springs then lean the knife against the corner of a droor with the over oiled joint nesteled in an old rag. The excess oil will seep out.

I deliberately over oil while repeatedly working a slip joint to give a new tight blade snap into full open. While no snap is more often an issue with Rough Ryder I had to do this with a few Case slip joints and one GEC. I do not like having to manually rotate a blade through the last few degrees to full open.

Common oils can soak into and leave dark spots in stag and mother of pearl, the knives we really do not want to devalue.

[Railsplitter]

For what it's worth, probably not much, here's what I do after over oiling a blade pivot. keeping the over oiled end down, wipe off the sides and springs then lean the knife against the corner of a droor with the over oiled joint nesteled in an old rag. The excess oil will seep out.

I deliberately over oil while repeatedly working a slip joint to give a new tight blade snap into full open. While no snap is more often an issue with Rough Ryder I had to do this with a few Case slip joints and one GEC. I do not like having to manually rotate a blade through the last few degrees to full open.

Common oils can soak into and leave dark spots in stag and mother of pearl, the knives we really do not want to devalue.

Thank you.

I don’t intentionally over-lubricate but I inevitably get some seepage in the back spring area and sometimes some seepage onto the blade tang.

I do basically the same thing you do. I set the knife on the back spring whenever possible and run a folded paper towel through the blade well and pivot area. Then I will let it sit some more and come back and do that again until I’m satisfied that the seepage has stopped.