Shinai Oil

[Jamie]

What type of oil and method do people prefer to lubricate the shinai staves?

I just rub cooking oil on mine but others say they soak theirs for days, I think this may increase the weight and maybe change the balance-but I could be wrong?

[Dave Fowler]

What type of oil and method do people prefer to lubricate the shinai staves?

I just rub cooking oil on mine but others say they soak theirs for days, I think this may increase the weight and maybe change the balance-but I could be wrong?

Do a search on oiling. You'll find this has been discussed a lot of times.

But to be brief be careful using cooking oil as it can make the shinai to heavy.

[Craig Jones]

What type of oil and method do people prefer to lubricate the shinai staves?

I just rub cooking oil on mine but others say they soak theirs for days, I think this may increase the weight and maybe change the balance-but I could be wrong?

I have heard that mineral oils are best, but since regular vegtable cooking oil is plentiful and cheap, I just use that. Everyone at my club does it a bit different from soaking, to just lightly rubbing the oil on. I soak the tip (~1cm) in old for a couple weeks while using a tooth brush to rub oil on the staves up to the first 'knuckle' or so.

[steliosk]

I have heard that mineral oils are best, but since regular vegtable cooking oil is plentiful and cheap, I just use that. Everyone at my club does it a bit different from soaking, to just lightly rubbing the oil on. I soak the tip (~1cm) in old for a couple weeks while using a tooth brush to rub oil on the staves up to the first 'knuckle' or so.

I have not found a difference in weight I can notice. All my shinai soak in oil for about a week when first received, in a mix of mineral/baby oil and canola oil. Other than the occassional splintering, I have not had a single stave crak yet over the last 7 months of doing this. Gives them a faint fresh odour, too

[litige]

I use the same oil I use on my wooden flute.

I don't know if it's that, but shinai have a greener look than before. It's like a fresh shinai form the grove...hehe

[Odachi]

I use seseme seed oil mixed with baby oil. It smells like stir fry and makes me hungry during class. It also has a very nice colour to it.

There is nothing stranger than the look you get from your sensai when he catches you licking your shinai

[Odachi]

oops sensai = sensei

[mystic_kendoka]

i use the shinai oil from eurobogu...

[Sithlord]

In our dojo we encourage the use of bees wax rather than oils which soak into the bamboo and make it heavy. I prefer rubbing natural bees wax along the side of the staves every several weeks.

[Kishaba]

I find cat skill oil works best

[Ralutin]

Hi,

Be careful using any type of food/vegetable oil on your shinai or bokken as the oil will turn rancid over time. The best oil to use is light mineral oil, tung oil or (my personal preference) boiled linseed oil, which can be found in your local hardware store. Applying a light coat of wax will also help to lubricate the staves and postpone splintering.

[NorthernKendoka]

I also prefer boiled linseed oil. I usually dilute the oil with some turpentine just so that the bamboo will absorb it more quickly. Except from the fact that the oil does wonders on the bamboo does it leaves a wounderful scent. The linseed oil softens the bamboo while a thin layer of paraffin oil gives a nice surface.

[samurai999]

What type of oil and method do people prefer to lubricate the shinai staves?

I just rub cooking oil on mine but others say they soak theirs for days, I think this may increase the weight and maybe change the balance-but I could be wrong?

For days? I heard that this turns your shinai into a limp vegetable. Like a stirfry. At the most soak it for a day. I usually rub canola oil on mine.

Tim

[LNGUYEN]

The best is probably virgin olive oil. It leaves the scent of virgin on your Shinai.

[jonryu69]

FYI, 3 in 1 oil or even Hopps #9 gun oil found in the local hardware store works quite well. Apply with cotton ball in small amounts and remember to keep the shinai away from sunlight.