r/multitools • u/extra5mins • Dec 13 '24

Is this normal? Question/Advice

I just got my SOG powerpint multitool from the mail. Upon opening I noticed this black liquid smudged all around the tool. It's kinda slippery so I guess it's oil? But I wonder if this is normal or defective. My first time owning one btw.

1 Upvotes

52% Upvoted

u/Bright_Calendar_9886 Dec 13 '24

Its oil. Not even a little defective

2

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

I see, will it come off after some time?

5

u/Bright_Calendar_9886 Dec 13 '24

You can always wipe it off and re oil with oil that doesn’t bother you

3

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

What type of oil do you recommend?

4

u/MrDeacle Dec 13 '24

I use ballistol but it has a bit of a sweet-sour licorice odor when it's freshly applied so not everyone likes it. Skin-safe (unless you have an allergy), food safe, antimicrobial, naturally congeals just the right amount so that it doesn't stay runny but still protects and lubricates the steel, also good for preserving leather.

Cheaper and easier to get is mineral oil, found as a laxative in most pharmacies (not enough of a laxative to worry about getting a bit on the apple you're cutting). Colorless, odorless, very safe, decent lubricant and corrosion inhibitor but it always stays a bit runny, not great for leather.

3

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

I will look into those, thank you so much! Based on the pictures what do you think is the type of oil they put in there?

3

u/MrDeacle Dec 13 '24

My pleasure!

Hard to say about what oil they use. It might just be WD-40 that's turned a bit black from steel dust getting into it. SOG doesn't seem to state what oil they use in the factory, but I guess WD-40 is what they recommend for tool care.

I don't have experience with WD-40 because its appropriate uses have always been hotly debated so that kinda scared me off. Some say it's a lubricant and some say it's a water displacer and de-greaser which just has some lubricant in it but it's not meant to be used as a lubricant. Some say it's food safe and some say it isn't. Officially, the company doesn't consider it food safe but does consider it perfectly fine to treat it as a lubricant. Wish I had better info than that but I just find the product confusing.

3

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

Oh wow, you might've guessed it right. I also noticed a familiar smell coming from that black liquid but not sure what exactly it was. Thanks for your insight. I will stick with those two you recommended me.

3

u/Frubbs Dec 14 '24

REM Oil Spray — wipe it down gently with a microfiber after applying and spray a small amount into the joints

1

u/Bright_Calendar_9886 Dec 13 '24

Any oil used for lubricating tools.

2

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

Okay thanks

u/just_callme_mike Dec 13 '24

It's ruined.

You can send to me for disposal.

u/disguiseunknown Dec 13 '24

It is oil. Be sure to oil it.

2

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

What type of oil is ideal?

3

u/disguiseunknown Dec 13 '24

Mineral oil or food grade oil depends on your usage. I used ballistol.

Not that it will rust easily, and you can wipe them easily anyway. Just needs maintenance. Some people even polish it. It is a pretty tool. Have been with me for about 2 yrs already as my EDC on my wallet in my pocket.

2

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

Yeah, I bought it because of it's compact size. Thank you for the advice!

3

u/disguiseunknown Dec 13 '24

Yours looks like it has a good tolerances. You won the SOG QA lottery. Lol

Plenty of things you can do to mod and add more functionality too. One thing that really doesn't work there out of the box is the can opener. You have to sharpen it to work. The rest they can be useful. Just not the best for the job but still handy when you need it.

2

u/extra5mins Dec 13 '24

Oh that's good to know! I thought something's wrong with it because that black liquid keeps leaking when I fidget with the tool. Glad to learn its for maintenance!

2

u/The_inspector_24 29d ago

I just use weapon oil.