KPL Original

If you want to keep your folding knives in top shape, this is the stuff. The lube itself is very lightweight, but don't let that fool you—it makes the pivot feel buttery smooth instantly. Pros: Precision: The needle applicator makes it easy to apply exactly where you need it without making a mess. The drops are tiny, so even though I used a few drops in different spots, the bottle will still last a long time. Clean: It has a slight reddish tint and a light, pleasant scent—nothing "chemical" or overpowering. Effective: It’s very light but works fantastically to slick up the action. Cons: Cost: It's a little more expensive. Packaging: The cap is tricky to open. Definitely worth the investment for anyone who cares about their gear.

This is the right way to lubricate a knife pivot. I was using mineral oil thinned with mineral spirits, and it worked fine, for a while. I only bought the KPL out of curiosity, and to get the needle-nozzle bottle it comes in. So I disassembled my edc, cleaned out the dirt and oil, and reassembled. Then I put a drop of kpl at each bearing, and where the lock-bar meets the blade. It works as good as my old oil (the action couldn't be any better), but it seems to stay put better. I didn't have to wipe away any excess oil, and there is still (after a week of use) a visible bead of oil near the lock bar. It doesn't just work well for pivots, but also any other places on the knife where metal slides against metal under pressure, such as lock-bar or lock face, or the detent ball, the dimple it rests in, and the track it rides. Lubricating these areas can help keep your detent snappy, your lock-up strong, and your action even smoother. It will also reduce wear on these areas from consistent usage (for those who like to fidget). This stuff stays in place so much better than other oils I've used. It works better on the non-pivot points than my other oils. As a bonus, it has almost no smell, and the light smell that it does have is actually pleasant. It seems pricey for a tiny bottle of oil, but consider these things: -It has a needle-nozzle for extremely accurate application (none wasted. I've oiled about 10 knives and the bottle still looks exactly the same) -It stays where you put it (long lasting). -It may actually help preserve the life of your knife parts. With these factors I expect this bottle to last a very long time, and save my knives some wear, so it was definitely worth it.

So, this stuff is not magic. I know it sucks to hear, but this isn't going to take something with terrible action and turn it into friction-less perfection. However, it is probably the best stuff you can buy for knives that use bronze washers instead of bearings. See on bearings the smoothness of the knife is more dependent on the bearings themselves, adding better lube smooths things out slightly but doesn't change all that much. HOWEVER, on bronze washers the lube makes all the difference. The standard high-quality stuff is usually considered to be the 10-weight nano-oil. This stuff is closer to 18-20 weight, and it just works better for bearings. The higher weight gives it a slightly higher viscosity and allows it to stick to everything much better, and if you are coming from the stock grease many companies like Spyderco use this will make a huge difference. For example, my Spyderco PM2 came from the factory stiff, it didn't fall shut like others I had handled, and if I loosened up the pivot, I would get smoothness, but introduce side to side blade play. So, I bought some of this, took the PM2 apart, cleaned everything with alcohol, and then added a few drops of this to the washers. That made a 100% difference. Now I have the pivot tight, the blade perfectly centered, and it glides open and falls shut. It literally turned the knife from stiff and crappy to having a perfect action. I quickly put this in all my knives with washers like the Spyderco Caribbean, Benchmade Contego, and ZT 0850. On all of them it made a noticeable difference, not as dramatic as the PM2 but an improvement as you can see in the video So, in conclusion, if you have a lot of knives that run on washers, this is your best bet. It even has a pleasant vanilla smell and not a foul odor like most lubricant. It is higher weight than nano oil and seems to give a smoother action. For knives with bearings...you are probably better off saving money. Bearing knives will work with reel oil, mineral oil, anything really and feel the same...so save your money.

It solved some of my old pocket knives whether its traditional slipjoint or modern locking folding knife that is hard to open due to gunk build-up and now its smooth and easy to open and not only that, it can clean, restore, and polish brass bolster and liner back to shiny brass color.

This stuff is great imo

As a knife collector, I’ve tried just about every pivot lube out there—and KPL is the only brand I trust. Whether it’s a flipper, a thumb stud, or a front flipper with a complex locking mechanism, this stuff just works. Period. It doesn’t matter if the knife has a liner lock, frame lock, axis lock, or something exotic—KPL keeps the action smooth, fast, and consistent. No gunk, no stickiness, just clean, reliable performance every time. I use it on everything from high-end customs to my everyday beaters. A couple drops go a long way, and it holds up under real use—not just shelf queens. If you’re serious about your knives, this is the lube you want in your kit. Accept no substitutes

Surprised at how well it works. I have been using every lube known to man for my guns and knives for decades and most were mediocre. I immediately noticed an improvement on smoothness on my knives when I used this. Also has a pleasant scent. I wish it was food safe and a little less expensive, but oh well. I highly receomommend this oil.

Works great for my Benchmade knives

Amazing stuff for intended purpose. If you know you know

Bought this for my balisong. Didn't realise how well it worked till I used it. Got rid of the clacking noise and the balisong is buttery smooth!!!! Thoroughly recommend 👌

Great oil to add to knives pivot points allowing it to function smoothly. Have used on a bench made, and a civivi button lock - have noticed a smoother deployment after use.

If you own pocket knives, EDC folders, or anything with a pivot, stop looking — this is the only lubricant you need. I’ve tried everything from gun oil to mineral oil to random garage stuff… nothing compares to KPL. ✅ Silky Smooth Action – After just a tiny drop in the pivot, my knife went from gritty to glassy smooth. The blade now glides open like it's on bearings made of butter. ✅ Stays Put, Doesn’t Attract Gunk – Unlike thinner oils that run everywhere, KPL has the perfect viscosity. It lubricates, stays in place, and actually helps float debris out of the pivot over time. ✅ Safe on All Materials – Works perfectly with titanium, steel, bearings, washers, even ceramic detents. No staining, no weird reactions. ✅ Precision Tip = No Mess – The needle applicator is a game changer. Controlled drops exactly where you need them, zero waste. I use it on Spyderco, Benchmade, Civivi, CRKT — anything with a moving part. Also great for sharpening and rust prevention on blades. Yes, it’s a small bottle, but you only need a microscopic amount — this will last a long time even if you maintain multiple knives. If you’re into EDC, flipping, or just want your knives to feel factory fresh, this is the best upgrade you can make for under $40.

I've only just recently dove down the rabbit-hole of knife collecting, and this stuff makes even the factory knives I've barely used feel completely different.. No play whatsoever after application, and a smooth (and pleasant smell) deployment of the blade.