Oil

[mystic_kendoka]

i want to oil my shinai, but i'm not sure which to use, i don't have any special types of oil... any suggestions? :confused2

[wingdelta]

Use vegetable oil... Let it stay for a few minutes then wipe off any extra.

[xvikingx]

My personal preference is linseed oil. It is not too heavy, so you don't get a soggy feeling to your shinai. Also it is too light, like vegetable oil. I used vegetable when I didn't have linseed available and it seemed like the vegetable oil didn't last. I also heard rapeseed oil is good.

[xvikingx]

[QUOTE=xvikingx] Also it is too light, like vegetable oil.QUOTE]

I meant to say "NOT too light, like vegetable oil". I really need to start reading over what I type before I post it. :tired:

[tyler]

i use mineral oil which is light and odorless. baby oil is mineral oil plus smell, so try and get odorless.

[mystic_kendoka]

actually, i just finishing puttin on this weird oil i found on a can... dont kno what it is but, its colourless and it doesn't smell... i hope it doesnt dissolve the bamboo or anything... :disapp:

[mystic_kendoka]

thnks everyone, it worked just fine

[orryn]

I have a quick question since we are on the subject...

when you oil your shinai, do you take it apart and oil fron the inside, or just oil fron the outside?

Thanks

[Neil Gendzwill]

Take it apart.

[mystic_kendoka]

u shld take it apart, then put some oil in the concave bit, and add some more oil if u think u need to

[BirdMan]

I have pulled my shinai apart once and soaked it in a light oil for a week then put it back together, now I inspect it after each class and once a week I take a little oil on a rag and wipe down the outside of the shinai, how often should I pull it apart and oil the inside of it?

[Fraz]

The smart alec answer is... Whenever it needs it.. :cheeky: :)
Seriously, It all depend on your routine.. I rotate my shinai after every class and strip and oil my shinai every third month. I tried it every month but it just didn't need it, you'll know if this happens... The oil won't soak into the take...:)

Be careful when doing this though because heavier oils tend to make the shinai's 'soggy.' Lighter oils like sewing machine or gun oil (without blueing) are more forgiving of over application.

If the shinai smells of sawdust when hitting or the take feels bone dry to the touch then it;s needing oiled.

Here's a Link to shinai Maintence, Hope it helps...:)
Shinai Maintenance & Beginners Manual (http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html)

[tango]

FWIW, I know a guy who uses WD-40 on his shinai.

Anybody else tried it?

(BTW, I use a carbon shinai ;) so.. no oily oily for me)..

ALSO .. about linseed oil - BE VERY CAREFUL!

I know a guy who's wife used linseed oil on a rag, got finished doing whatever, and then threw the rag into a clothes hamper.

..later, the fire department determined that the fumes from the rag in the hamper had spontaneously combusted (or self-combusted?), which started the fire which burned their house to the ground.

Just be careful ...

[A P]

Dudeeeeeeeeee For Real Man!!!

It burn down the hounse??? Whowwww.... I have got to be more careful

about the oil from now on. Thank you Tango for your warning.

I am usually a careless person..about things.

[Hai_hai]

Bamboo is grass not wood. So for oil, I would recommend using margarine. It is partially-hydrogenated oil so it won't break down like to goopy oil.

[Yowai]

Oil on shinai? Wow. What next?

I didn't know so many people practiced bimbo Kendo.

[Fraz]

It's usually spelt BAMBOO not BIMBO...:p :lol: