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Forums10
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Most Online9,918 Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89 |
Has anyone used Sperm Whale oil on fine guns ?
I've heard it works good on gunstocks and for general lubrication.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21 |
I have not used any. I believe there was a thread on this a couple years ago. If I recall correctly, it's illegal to import and the whale itself is protected. That leaves whatever old supply is around, which is very expensive on my last ebay search, or illegally smuggled supplies.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,050
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
Can't help with sperm oil except that my father had a small bottle of it when I would watch him clean his guns. As Chuck stated, in the 1970's the United States banned all sperm whale products. As a substitute try Jojoba oil, from the jojoba plant (simmondsia chinensis) and Simmondsia californica, it is a wax ester and not technically an oil. I am not a chemist but chemically it resembles sperm whale oil or spermaceti oil. Jojoba esters are composed of straight chain alcohols.
A quick Google:The acid and the alcohol portions have 20 or 22 carbon atoms and one unsaturated bond. It contains a 60% mixture of wax esters, including fatty acids and alcohols of chain lengths C20 to C26 (eicosenoic and docosenoic acid, eicosenol, docosenol, hexacosenol), nitrile glycosides (simmondsin and cyanomethylene derivatives). "In 1977 domestic commercial jojoba oil cultivation began because it is the natural substitute for spermaceti, which in other cases has been replaced by synthetic products." Jojoba oil seems to have a long shelf life; "it will never break down or go rancid." It resembles human sebum; the natural coating our body produces to protect the skin and keeps it supple.
Good Shooting T.C. The Green Isle
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,775 Likes: 180
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,775 Likes: 180 |
They used to use Sperm Whale oil in the differentials in the Corvettes. In 1979 when I had my new 1978 Vette, if I took an exit ramp up off of the freeway and made a hard turn, the plates would chatter in the rear end. Chevrolet said the only thing that would correct it was whale oil. They were right!! Now days they have a synthetic oil of course. They put it in the '78 I have now when I had my rear end rebuilt several years ago........Try Clenzoil. You won't get much better oil for guns and all round use if you need a fine oil. Good luck.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 8 |
You can use that C-oil on darkly stained shoes and belts. Be careful that stuff stinks baaaad. 
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21 |
I've often heard that sperm oil had no performance peer. What performance characteristics, exactly, does it have that other lubricants don't match? If the stuff is so rare today that you can't use it often enough for a gun that gets used often, how is that a benefit?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,775 Likes: 180
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,775 Likes: 180 |
Now days Chuck, they have come up with synthetic oils to take the place of whale oil. But ask your local GM dealer about it. 35 years ago it was used in the auto industry because it worked so well. Better than anything else at the time. It isn't a benefit to use it today at the price one would have to pay for it. Besides, as Birdog said, killing of whales to get the oil is now banned. So if you buy some today, it was probably kept from the early eighties. Like that can of Creosote I have out in the garage. Or those cans of freon people hoarded away so they could fill their own air conditioners in their own cars.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89 |
I know the sale of Sperm Whale oil is banned in the US...I did an Internet search and found that no synthetics have been made to replicate it properties. A couple of searches said the US had it stock piled for use in Atomic weapons.
I'm just curious if anyone has used it on fine guns.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 8 |
What's wrong with good ole' 3 in 1 at local BigLots for <$2 per bottle? I mean ,if you only use sparingly so it doesn't run past the action and soak into the wood. 
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 142
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 142 |
Rusks Gun Shop in Madison Wi carried it at one time.
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