Knuckles/Graphite

[Dave Nereson]

 > Ok... this is a new one on me.... what benifit is to be had from simply
> cleaning graphite from knuckles ?
> 
> RB
> 
> 
> -- 
> Richard Brekne
> RPT, N.P.T.F.
> UiB, Bergen, Norway
 

    It's not the fact that it's graphite, but rather that it's probably "graphite grease", sort of a graphite-impregnated gel or wax that technicians used to smear on anything needing lubrication.  Over the years, it collects dust and gets cake-y and gunky, then has the opposite effect of what was intended.  It's often found in the rep spring grooves of older grand wippens. 
    I still use dry graphite powder in a few places, such as under the glide bolts of grand actions (I rub it into the grain of the wood and vacuum or wipe off the excess), and on the trapwork of old uprights where wood rubs against wood.  I know there are modern substitutes, but where there's already graphite (dry, powdered -- not the gunky stuff), I tend to use it again rather than apply a different substance on top of it.  But not always -- sometimes I smear VJ lube on top of a surface where the graphite has worn away.
    For mass "re-graphiting" of jack tips, repetition levers, dowel capstan tops, etc., Permalon or other similar substances seem to be in favor now, rather than the graphite-based "Dag".  But I think Dag is still viable if not applied too thickly and if burnished after it dries.  As for its longevity compared to the Permalon-type spray-on lubes, I don't know. . . .  List?  
    --David Nereson, RPT
    --