A few years ago I met Fred Haise Jr and got him to sign one of my Slide Rules. He was so excited to see it, took it from me, and started to show the event host how to use it!
He asked me what I use to lubricate it, and when I said "Pencil graphite" he got even more excited. Apparently a lot of the other astronauts had used fancy light lubrication oils, but he always used a pencil and never had any problems.
He was a lovely man, and it was fabulous to enthuse with him over this wonderful piece of technology.
Powdered graphite is an excellent lubricant that doesn't attract crud. My father had a little squeeze tube of it for locks; it eventually ran out and I haven't seen any more since.
You can find the small tubes at hobby stores, with the supplies for Pinewood Derby cars for Cub Scouts. I went through several tubes during my son's years in Scouts.
The versions for lubricating motorcycle cables are finer and less messy than the cheap stuff they sell for locks. If you want to be neater with your slide rule, anyway :)
He asked me what I use to lubricate it, and when I said "Pencil graphite" he got even more excited. Apparently a lot of the other astronauts had used fancy light lubrication oils, but he always used a pencil and never had any problems.
He was a lovely man, and it was fabulous to enthuse with him over this wonderful piece of technology.