Olive oil as a conservant.

[Multumesc]

It may well preserved with silicone oil for weapons.

[broadaxe]

Originally Posted by Multumesc

It may well preserved with silicone oil for weapons.

Indeed. What was done in the past is not necessarily good. Olive oil is NOT a good preservative, as it contains acids and water, and it hardens to a thick film that would jamm any fine mechanism.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

... and it hardens to a thick film that would jamm any fine mechanism.

[TimW]

i would not use olive oil... could get rancid... i use ballistol on all my handmade knives.

[broadaxe]

Originally Posted by fernando

Olive oil hardens over the years, creates a thick layer that 'freezes' moving parts.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Olive oil hardens over the years, creates a thick layer that 'freezes' moving parts.

No harm for a sword, a polearm, a cuirasse or a non shooting antique firearm ... if indeed olive oil has the strenght to freeze mechanisms

[Dmitry]

I have just started the process of "olivification" with some store-bought olive oil on the hilt of this French non-comissioned officer's sword ca.1750. It was originally blackened [fer noirci], with only traces remaining around the inside of the shell.

Starting photo.


Will report back in a couple of months.

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Olive oil hardens over the years, creates a thick layer that 'freezes' moving parts.

That's absolutely right; olive oil is definitely nor recommended for mechanical parts!!! It will freeze them.
The old-time recipe for them was either stone or bone oil. I too prefer Ballistol (a Lower Bavarian poduct, btw ...) for mechanics - and only for them.

Sorry for not mentioning this earlier but I understood the discussion was about outer surfaces.

Best,
Michael