BFS reel oil

[NYWayfarer]

My new Shimano Curado BFS reel was delivered this week from Tackle Warehouse. I was surprised to find no oil in the box. I thought I saw an unboxing video where it came with a tube of Shimano BFS oil (green cap) as opposed to the Bantam oil (blue cap) 

 

I went online to order some and to my surprise it is out of stock for US sellers. The cost to get it shipped from overseas is criminal. 
 

Are there any other options for BFS oil that I can purchase without have to pay $20+ in shipping? What oil are you guys using on your BFS reels?

[galyonj]

I would be fascinated to learn if any reel-specific oil has special qualities that justify the price.

[badfish79]

its a special shallow bottle

[bulldog1935]

I'm the full-time Japan shopper, so I throw in ZPI Racing or Hedgehog Alchemy depending on where I'm loading up a cart.  

Here in the US, SurfcastProShop normally carries RocketReelCo RocketFuel from UK, but he's totally OOS.  

BaitFinesseEmpire normally carries Shimano and Hedgehog, and he's totally OOS.  

Tried CarolinaFishing, who normally carries ZPI - OOS.  

 

TackleTrap comes through - medium light and drag-down shows ultralight

https://tackletrap.com/products/hedgehog-studio-alchemy-oil-medium-light?_pos=1&_sid=1bb6daa64&_ss=r

 

@galyonj - they formulate the oil viscosity and their "secret" ingredient is nano-diamond that polishes everything in its path.  

https://zpi-japan.com/products/F-zero.html#extralong_cast

They're in all the products I listed, and regardless of opinion, they win casting tournaments.  

And of course the subject here is micro-casting - getting the most with light weight.  

 

On unsheilded spool bearings, you never need more than a drop, but you need that drop about 1/mo when you're fishing.  Odds are, you'll never empty the bottle.  

 

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings and Happy Friday All,

 

Fantastic responses! @badfish79 Bravo!

Being budget constrained my lower cost BFS reel basically only came with the MFR sticker. As angling is not my only hobby where lubricants are a concern. Since I don't have a huge investment in angling equipment so I'm comfortable experimenting and exploring, within reason. Also being an engineer I've referenced some of the material safety sheets published on various lubricants available to better understand what most of the lubricants consist of and their intended application.

 

I have used in the past the Daiwa reel oil in the precision oil package, the one with the needle tip. That stuff is really nice, just apply reasonably frequently due to the low viscosity of all the various reel oils you'll need to do that depending on your use profile. Especially so if you are making spirited casts. 

 

I've also used with reasonably good results too sewing machine oil, and other light grade mineral oils. I made a capillary tube which makes dispensing a bit easier. You can do something similar with a commercially available medicine dropper or similar. The plastic spray tubes also work, just not as precise due to the diameter.

 

Through this experience it is more about using the oil rather than a specific oil as most bearing used are compatible with most lubricants. Still I fully appreciate your concerns in protecting your investment. My example has been my vehicles' engine oil. Through decades of comparing different oils I've seen the difference which has guided my choice for motor oil. By the way since the newer vehicles use such low viscosity oils, I've also tried that on reel bearings too just to see. Yes, there are a couple of very smooth spinning reels. Not so good for the high speed bearing application. Although I've got some of that newish 0-16w that is a candidate for other hobby applications.

 

I hope you find your desired oil soon enough just like that fish on-line too! Cheers!

 

[NYWayfarer]

17 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I'm the full-time Japan shopper, so I throw in ZPI Racing or Hedgehog Alchemy depending on where I'm loading up a cart.  

Here in the US, SurfcastProShop normally carries RocketReelCo RocketFuel from UK, but he's totally OOS.  

BaitFinesseEmpire normally carries Shimano and Hedgehog, and he's totally OOS.  

Tried CarolinaFishing, who normally carries ZPI - OOS.  

 

TackleTrap comes through - medium light and drag-down shows ultralight

https://tackletrap.com/products/hedgehog-studio-alchemy-oil-medium-light?_pos=1&_sid=1bb6daa64&_ss=r

 

On unsheilded spool bearings, you never need more than a drop, but you need that drop about 1/mo when you're fishing.  

 

Thanks! Just what I was looking for. 

[dodgeguy]

Atf 4 transmission fluid full synthetic. I've been using it for 30 years .

[Woody B]

Of course @dodgeguy uses ATF+4.  He's a Chrysler Master Tech.  I use Dexron 6.  I'm a GM Master Tech.  

 

(ATF4 is Chrysler transmission fluid. Dexron 6 is GM transmission fluid)

[georgeyew]

28 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Atf 4 transmission fluid full synthetic. I've been using it for 30 years .

Not too heavy for bearings?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Imo yes. Sewing machine oil is low viscosity, tsi321 and a needle oiler if you want to get fancy. Boca Lightning oil is good Remoil is light if you have it around. No need for anything different than you put on all your spool bearings. Most importantly, flush and add one small drop of chosen lubricant. Fwiw I don’t buy the polishing diamond particles for one second. 

[redmeansdistortion]

Super Lube ISO 10.  It's the thinnest oil you can get without buying a drum of it.  Direct from Super Lube it runs about $12 for 4oz.  I don't buy oils without a specification sheet or MSDS.  FWIW, Duethlon Cast Lube is ISO 22 and often marketed to the BFS crowd.  

 

https://www.super-lube.com/multi-use-synthetic-lightweight-oil-50104

 

https://www.super-lube.com/Content/Images/uploaded/documents/TDS/Technical_Data_Sheet_Multi_Use_Synthetic_Lightweight_Oil.pdf

[Jrob78]

Hedgehog Alchemy Oil  Ultra Light and TG's Rocket Fuel Yellow are what I normally use.

[garroyo130]

TSI till I die ... or cant find it anymore.

 

TSI 301 is as good as it gets but its more expensive and harder to find. TSI 321 is next best IMO.

[redmeansdistortion]

You can make your own TSI 301, kind of.  301 uses a solvent for a carrier that's not plastic friendly, so caution must be used when applying.  321 is the "oil" form.  I have oil in quotes because 321 isn't really an oil but a thin film lubricant.  It was developed for NASA to lubricate hard drive platters on space bound vehicles and instruments.  Many people apply it like an oil but it doesn't spread with the consistency of oil and doesn't dry evenly after setting in.  With 321, mix 6 parts 99% medical grade alcohol with 1 part TSI.  Shake it up, dip your bearings, and spin dry.  This ensures a thin application that lasts and protects moving parts.  The alcohol won't damage plastics and evaporates quickly, leaving the TSI behind.

[NYWayfarer]

I picked up the hedgehog medium light oil. Meant to get the ultralight oops ? 

 

I also purchased Lew’s hyperspeed bearing oil. From the reviews I see it is a lighter oil and seems like it will work for BFS reels.

[ike8120]

I have been using ReelX oil and grease for all my reels.

 

[redmeansdistortion]

38 minutes ago, ike8120 said:

I have been using ReelX oil and grease for all my reels.

 

Reel X is good but not light enough for BFS (ISO 32) and a low viscosity index so the viscosity doesn't remain as stable across temperature variations but it is a good general purpose oil.  For your average non BFS or spinning reel, it's perfectly fine.

[PhishLI]

8 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Reel X oil is good

I use this on my worm gears every third trip. Reels are removed so that I can crank 'em and work it into the bushings or bearings. Seems to have kept them healthy for years.

[Tennessee Boy]

Nothing is to good for my reels.  I use unicorn tears harvested on a full moon.  Very hard to find a reliable source.  I buy mine from an old lady at the farmers market.   It’s organic of course.  $700 for a 2 oz bottle.  It smells a lot like 3-In-1 machine oil but the stuff is magic on a fishing reel. 

[FishTank]

TSI 321 has worked for me so far. It doesn't seem to last as long as the BFS oil from Shimano but it works great. I use it on all my reel spool bearings. 

[rboat]

I use the Lucas oil made for reels. Works great and get long casts and never had any problems. It is very thin and you only need one very small drop on each bearing.

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

@Woody B Right on! I have used dextron mercon (sp?) ATF with good results. Other than the red color no other issues using it on the spool bearings.

 

I have found the sewing machine oil to be a bit lower in drag when compared to the ATF. It also migrates quicker too. Keep in mind these are just my casual observations from goofing off just to learn.

 

ATF is also very helpful as a penetrating oil too. Just $0.02 worth added. Cheers!

[Big Hands]

I have bought two Curado BFS reels and they came with one of the blue and one of the green in each box. 

On 7/29/2023 at 3:24 PM, rboat said:

I use the Lucas oil made for reels. Works great and get long casts and never had any problems. It is very thin and you only need one very small drop on each bearing.

 

I bought some last winter when I was going through my reels. Seems to work well and the needle tip applicator makes it easy to work with. 

[roadwarrior]

TSI 321

[Big Hands]

On 7/29/2023 at 1:15 PM, Tennessee Boy said:

Nothing is to good for my reels.  I use unicorn tears harvested on a full moon.  Very hard to find a reliable source.  I buy mine from an old lady at the farmers market.   It’s organic of course.  $700 for a 2 oz bottle.  It smells a lot like 3-In-1 machine oil but the stuff is magic on a fishing reel. 

 

What is the shelf life of those unicorn tears?

 

$350/oz seems like it's too good to be true. Do you know if they are truly grass fed free range organic unicorn tears?