Lubricating Saws

**JRW87** · 01-01-2013, 05:57 PM

I'm looking for organic options for lubricating crosscut saws, as some of you have probably noted from the pictures of my axes the scum from the gum I'm felling builds up rapidly, one day and they're entirely purple. We are in the process of making the property certified organic so don't want to use diesel or kerosene. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

Many thanks.

**sawzall** · 01-01-2013, 06:00 PM

turpentine- comes from pines so I guess that might be organic, not sure if you would consider that

olive oil? or veggie oil maybe?

orange oil- is used for pest control and as a solvent but is expensive

**JRW87** · 01-01-2013, 06:06 PM

I'm not too sure, I'd have to ask the governing body, because technically fossil fuels are organic right?

**sawzall** · 01-01-2013, 06:12 PM

I doubt fossil fuels would count but who knows, the government makes the rules

**ATsawyer** · 01-01-2013, 06:16 PM

Orange Blast is supposedly non-petroleum.

**YTSESoldier** · 01-01-2013, 06:19 PM

Alot of woodworkers use jojoba or camellia oil as both are plant based and neither will go rancid as olive oil would.
jojoba: http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=joil
camellia: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...aoil100ml.aspx

**kyak** · 01-01-2013, 06:35 PM

I use mineral oil on my knives and whatnot for the reason that if I use my knife on something that I will eat I dont want it contaminated from other oils that I have seen used like wd-40 and the like....

**cardo** · 01-01-2013, 06:41 PM

My grandfather used bacon grease/fat.

**Treeline** · 01-01-2013, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by ATsawyer

Orange Blast is supposedly non-petroleum.

X2 on the orange.

Kerosene was always the old standby and works great, but it's pretty nasty stuff. Some folks have started to use Citrus based degreasers as a more Earth friendly alternative. Smells better when it spils all over your pack too.