16+ Abrasives and Lubricants for SHTF

It’s easy to get focused on the items we NEED for survival and forget about everything else. Water, food, ammo, and so on are the easy ones to think about. But what about all the other stuff that makes life easier but just aren’t nearly as sexy when it comes to SHTF blog posts?

There’s a lot to be considered but today I’m thinking, in particular, about abrasives and lubricants for SHTF. I use these terms very loosely so please don’t go by any standard definitions. In general, abrasives wear stuff away, lubricants make things move more easily.

That said, both abrasives and lubricants can be just the thing you NEED to make YOUR life easier during SHTF. Here’s some ideas of what I have in mind (in no particular order)…

Abrasives for SHTF

  • Dish scouring pads
  • Sandpaper (assorted grits)
  • Files and rasps
  • Grinding wheels
  • Knife sharpening stones
  • Bar soaps
  • Rags and towels
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Baking soda and salt

Lubricants for SHTF

  • General purpose lubricating oil (e.g., 3-in-one oil, lithium grease, WD-40)
  • Vehicle fluids (e.g., engine oil, transmission fluid) and mechanical fluids (e.g., 2-stroke oil)
  • Firearms lubricants (e.g., Break-Free)
  • Petroleum Jelly or mineral oils
  • Cooking oils (e.g., vegetable oil, palm oil, etc)
  • Dry Graphite Lube
  • Silicone Lubricant Spray

As you can see, there are several ideas and many, many possible subsets to consider. The point is that the above referenced items can make YOUR life easier day-in and day-out now and during a SHTF situation. What would you add?

abrasives-lubricants


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My latest book, The Survival Blueprint: How to Prepare Your Family for Disaster, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ49Y5X4

Comments

5 responses to “16+ Abrasives and Lubricants for SHTF”

  1. L.A.West

    All of the LUBRICATING items make perfect sense to have on hand at any time – not just SHTF or afterwards. If I might, also consider having all of the fundamental necessary things to cut/file metal, and cut/ shape wood. This includes drills.

  2. An _excellent_ all around lubricant I use a lot of is PTFE (teflon) Spray Lube. Liquid Wrench has one, the carrier fluid evaporates and the dry film stays put, you can see it as a gray, almost white film.

    I used this for years of building ported cylinder heads. Dozens of sets, not one reported failure! And believe me, I would have heard about it! 😀

    There are many brands of this, look for DFL dry film lube or Teflon. I think WD40 has one now, and Lowe’s used to carry “Super Lube” synthetic which was a really good price. Excellent Performance! I use it as a base coat on anything.

  3. Rev. Dr. Michael E Harris

    I am embarrassed to say that I have not considered either abrasives or lubricants. I will check these out, but I do have a few of these in my house and gunsmith shop.

    Many years ago, I worked in QA/QC in a metal stamping plant. The die makers used Pepsodent to put a finish on hardened steel. Just think what it did to our teeth.

  4. keebler

    in the sand paper group, How about (Wet or Dry Type) less chance of destroying it.I also have a fingernail file in this group.
    keeb

    1. Good ideas, thank you.

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