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

[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.

[kilic]

is there a common point for oiling? especially about the amount of the oil. just a little touch or full of a pvc tube?

[mystic_kendoka]

u use how much is needed, u put a little, if it is all soaked in, put a bit more, when it doesnt soak anymore, wipe and dry, then reassemble shinai.

[hobbit]

I was always told to use raw linseed oil, soak for a week or so when new, then drain for a similar length of time, wipe down well then re-assemble. Never had one go soggy - and generally got 18 months out of them, even training 4 times a week. I was also told to rub beeswax down the edges of the slats, but I've also been told not to - it marks peoples do, so not sure about that one.

[webjunkie401]

How often do you guys oil your shinai. I know to look for splintering and such before and after every practice, but how often should I be breaking the whole thing down and oiling it?