"Jonathan Cook" wrote in message
...
I've been lazy about cleaning/oiling ferrules lately. We've
all got our own tricks but ever since I was a kid I've rubbed
the male ferrule end alongside (not inside!) my nose to pick
up skin oils

parafin is best for graphite. Just rub a candle on the male end and insert
then rotate a few time. Don't need to do it more than once or twice a year.
The female end can be cleaned with a q-tip