Stiff lock at home
You have a stiff door lock or padlock and you will read the cylinder maker's leaflet before you buy. The Kasp K30050 pack of 2 is the top pick at about £10.70, with 4.7 from 5,371 reviews. Skip it if the maker bans graphite.
Graphite powder comparison 2026
The best graphite powders, compared.
Top pick: LINKKNOB lock lubricant Best value: Pressol graphite 50 g – About £5.17, the lowest price in this capture, with 4.6 from 2,168 reviews and a score of 77. Updated October 2026.
Graphite powder on amazon.co.uk is a dry carbon powder sold as a lock lubricant and, in other packs, as an artist medium. UK buyers usually want a small grease-free puff for a stiff key in a door lock or padlock, or a tin to brush onto paper and primed models. A suitable lock puff is a fine powder in a spout you can dose lightly, and only where the cylinder maker's leaflet allows graphite. A drawing powder should spread evenly and say whether water or a binder is suitable. A workshop bag is a third product. The job split is in the [graphite powder buying guide](/hub/diy-supplies/graphite-powder/sub/graphite-powder-buying-guide). Dose a permitted lock, then stop, using [how to use graphite powder](/hub/diy-supplies/graphite-powder/sub/graphite-powder-how-to-use). If the leaflet wants a dry film that is not graphite, compare a [PTFE spray](/hub/diy-supplies/ptfe-spray). HSE EH40 lists a workplace limit for graphite dust. Do not breathe a cloud. The powder conducts, so keep it off electrical equipment. A spill is slippery, and do not add powder on top of oil already in the keyway.
Graphite powder on amazon.co.uk is a dry carbon powder sold as a lock lubricant and, in other packs, as an artist medium.
36 products checked · 62 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
10 of 10: Best graphite powders compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
6.4/10
7.0/10
8.8/10
8.7/10
8.5/10
7.7/10
8.2/10
7.6/10
6.6/10
7.1/10
∼ £5
∼ £7
∼ £11
∼ £19
∼ £12
∼ £5
∼ £13
∼ £8
∼ £18
∼ £8
5.0(3)
5.0(2)
4.7(5,371)
4.7(2,439)
4.7(1,182)
4.6(2,168)
4.6(105)
4.4(207)
4.4(189)
4.3(125)
Personal buying guide
Which graphite powder fits?
Question 1 of 2
What are you buying it for?
The best graphite powders in detail
Our view
LINKKNOB is about £5.19 for a bottle with a precision nozzle. The bullets call it a dry lubricant for locks, hinges and tools, with no oily residue. Item weight is 19 g. The listing line is 5.0 from 3 ratings, and the file contains one United Kingdom review, which says it is a good product for locks and gives no further detail. Particle size and material are not stated. The part number is the string cweacew472, which is not a model name. The score is 64. It is a low shelf price with almost no UK evidence, so it does not take the value award from Pressol.
Pros
- About £5.19, close to the lowest price
- Bullets name a dry formula and a precision nozzle
- Locks, hinges and tools are on the bullets
- The one UK review is positive about locks
Cons
- 5.0 from 3 ratings and only one review text
- No mesh, no material, and no millilitre fill
- Part number is the string cweacew472
- The moisture line has no review support in this file
Best for: You are trying a cheap nozzle bottle and you do not need a large review sample.
Less suitable: You want evidence from hundreds of UK reviews, or a fill and grade you can quote.
Specifications
- Model
- LINKKNOB lock lubricant
- Brand
- LINKKNOB
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(3)
- Job
- Locks and hinges
- Stated fill
- 19 g
- Applicator
- Precision nozzle
- Grease-free
- Yes
- Container
- Bottle
- UK review note
- One short lock review
Common questions
What does the listing claim?
Bullets say a dry lubricant for locks, hinges and tools, with a slim stainless steel nozzle, and a layer against moisture. Particle size is not stated. Item weight is 19 g.
How many reviews were in the capture?
The listing line is 5.0 from 3. The file contains one UK review, which says it is a good product for locks and gives no further detail.
Is the part number a model name?
The part number and included-components field are the string cweacew472. No separate model name is printed.
Our view
LUNAULTRA lists a 60 ml bottle with a precision nozzle for door, window, bike and gate locks at about £6.99. The star line is 5.0 from 2 amazon.co.uk reviews, and both stored texts are United Kingdom. They praise the nozzle and a stiff front-door key that became easy to turn. The bullets say minimal residue rather than grease-free. Item weight is 14 g against a 60 ml bottle, material is not named, and no particle size is printed. Two reviews are too small a sample to treat the lack of a leak report as proof. The score is 70. A 5.0 from two ratings is not the top pick.
Pros
- About £6.99 with a precision nozzle named
- Both UK reviews describe smooth lock action
- Bullets cover doors, windows, bikes and gates
- One review notes no oily film
Cons
- 5.0 from only 2 reviews
- 60 ml against an item weight of 14 g
- Material and particle size are not stated
- Grease-free is not the phrase on the bullets
Best for: You want a small nozzle bottle and you are comfortable buying on two reviews.
Less suitable: You want a review count in the hundreds, a gram fill that matches the bottle, or a maker-named powder.
Specifications
- Model
- LUNAULTRA lock powder
- Brand
- LUNAULTRA
- Price
- ∼£7
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(2)
- Job
- Locks and gates
- Stated fill
- 60 ml; 14 g
- Applicator
- Precision nozzle
- Container
- Bottle
- UK review note
- Two reviews, no fault
Common questions
What size is listed?
The bullets say a 60 ml bottle with a precision nozzle. Item weight is 14 g. Particle size is not stated.
What do the two UK reviews say?
Both praise the nozzle and smooth lock action on doors, windows or a bike lock. Neither reports a leak or a blocked nozzle. Two reviews are a small sample.
Is a grease-free claim printed?
The bullets say minimal residue. They do not use the words grease-free. One review says there was no oily film.
Our view
The Kasp K30050 is the top pick for an ordinary door lock or padlock when the cylinder maker allows graphite. It is a greaseless, odourless powder with a fine dispensing spout, at about £10.70. Across 5,371 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.7, and the 50 texts in the file are marked United Kingdom. Reviewers describe sticky Yale nightlatches, Abus padlocks, car locks and a motorbike ignition freeing after a light puff. The title says a pack of 2, while the included-components line says 1 x K30050. A liquid-volume field says 0.3 litres, which does not describe a powder fill, and no mesh size is printed. UK reviews repeat an open cap in transit and a tip that clogs. The score of 88 is that review sample, not a lab test.
Pros
- Greaseless powder with a fine spout
- 4.7 from 5,371 amazon.co.uk reviews
- UK texts cover nightlatches and padlocks
- Title says a pack of 2
Cons
- Included line says 1 x K30050
- No mesh; a volume field says 0.3 litres
- Open caps and clogged tips in UK reviews
- A heavy puff marks hands and the door
Best for: You have a door lock or padlock whose maker allows a dry graphite puff, and you want the largest review sample in this set.
Less suitable: Your cylinder maker bans graphite, or you need a measured mesh for models or conductive paint.
Specifications
- Model
- Kasp K30050 pack of 2
- Brand
- Kasp
- Price
- ∼£11
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(5,371)
- Job
- Locks and padlocks
- Stated fill
- Pack of 2; line says 1
- Applicator
- Fine spout
- Grease-free
- Yes
- Container
- Tin on the listing
- UK review note
- Open caps; clogged tips
Common questions
What does the Kasp listing say it lubricates?
The bullets say dry lubrication of door locks and padlocks. The form is powder, greaseless and odourless, with a fine dispensing spout.
How many containers are in this pack?
The title and the number-of-items line say a pack of 2. The included-components line says 1 x K30050. The capture records both.
Does the listing state a particle size?
No mesh or micron figure is printed. Reviews call the powder fine, which is not a measured grade.
Our view
Cretacolor's 150 g plastic tin is the artist powder in this set, at about £18.85, and it scores 87. That is one point behind the lock top pick, and it is not a lock award. The bullets say large-area drawing and that it can be used with water or a binder. Across 2,439 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.7. The 50 United Kingdom texts are about drawing and about rubbing a metallic finish onto 3D-printed models and props, not about locks. Item weight is 188 g against a 150 g fill, and no particle size is printed. UK reviews repeat mess when the lid is opened, including a spill from an unscrewed lid in the parcel. It is a poor buy if the job is a euro cylinder.
Pros
- 150 g tin at 4.7 from 2,439 reviews
- Bullets name drawing and water or a binder
- UK reviews cover shading and model rubs
- A little powder is described as lasting
Cons
- About £18.85, called expensive in one review
- No mesh; item weight is 188 g against 150 g
- Lid residue and spills in the UK reviews
- Lock lubrication is not the review pattern
Best for: You shade large areas or rub a metallic tone onto primed models and props.
Less suitable: You need a lock spout, a grease-free lock claim, or a matte charcoal black.
Specifications
- Model
- Cretacolor graphite powder 150 g
- Brand
- Cretacolor
- Price
- ∼£19
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(2,439)
- Job
- Drawing and models
- Stated fill
- 150 g
- Container
- Plastic tin
- UK review note
- Lids spill
Common questions
What is this tin for on the listing?
The bullets say large-area drawing, spatial design, and light and shadow. They also say it can be used with water or a binder.
Do the reviews mention locks?
The 50 UK reviews read are about drawing and about rubbing a metallic finish onto 3D-printed models and props. Lock lubrication is not the pattern.
What goes wrong in the reviews?
Reviewers report mess when the lid is opened, and at least one unscrewed lid that spilled powder in the parcel.
Our view
The Lution XM listing is about £11.80, and the bullets call it the Ultion-approved micro graphite lubricant, 50 g, with no need for oils or WD-40. Across 1,182 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.7. Fifty United Kingdom texts describe stiff Ultion and other door keys starting to turn after a very small dose. The same bullets say a well installed lock needs lubricating every 6 months. The number-of-items line says 50, which does not match one 50 g bottle, and micro is not a mesh number. UK reviews say the spout blocks after the first applications. Buy it when the lock is an Ultion and the maker's page names this graphite. The score is 85.
Pros
- Bullets say Ultion-approved micro graphite, 50 g
- 4.7 from 1,182 reviews on stiff door keys
- Bullets say no need for oils or WD-40
- A six-month interval is printed
Cons
- About £11.80, and reviewers say you need little
- Number-of-items line says 50 against one bottle
- No mesh number
- Spout blocks in the UK reviews
Best for: You have an Ultion lock and the maker's sheet names this graphite.
Less suitable: You want the cheapest large-sample puff, or the cylinder maker tells you not to use graphite.
Specifications
- Model
- Lution XM lock lubricant
- Brand
- Lution
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(1,182)
- Job
- Ultion locks
- Stated fill
- 50 g
- Applicator
- Spout in reviews
- Grease-free
- Yes
- Container
- Bottle
- UK review note
- Spout blocks
Common questions
Who is this powder listed for?
The bullets call it the Ultion-approved micro graphite lubricant for smooth key turning in an Ultion lock, and they say a well installed lock needs lubricating every 6 months.
What does the listing say about oil?
The bullets say there is no need for oils or WD-40. They do not print a separate weatherproof rating.
How much powder is listed?
Item weight and unit count are 50 g. The number-of-items line says 50, which does not match a single 50 g bottle.
Our view
Pressol 10 589 is the best value here for a domestic lock puff if the cylinder maker allows graphite and you accept a listing conflict. It is about £5.17, the lowest price in this capture, listed as 50 g of natural graphite, grease-free, at 4.6 from 2,168 amazon.co.uk reviews. The 50 United Kingdom texts are mostly sticky door locks and padlocks, and several say a water-displacing spray had already made the lock worse. A separate attribute block calls the item a paste and prints SAE J300 0W-20, while a liquid-volume line says 100 ml. No particle size is printed, and one reviewer found the powder too coarse for a metallic model finish. The nozzle is described in reviews rather than on the title, and those reviews say it is hard to aim horizontally and can clog. The score of 77 uses the price for the value award.
Pros
- About £5.17 with 4.6 from 2,168 reviews
- Title says 50 g natural graphite, grease-free
- UK reviews focus on door locks and padlocks
- A small amount is described as enough
Cons
- Attribute block says paste and SAE J300 0W-20
- A volume line says 100 ml against 50 g
- No mesh; one review calls it coarse for models
- Nozzle clog and horizontal aim in UK texts
Best for: You want a low-priced lock puff with a large review count, and your leaflet allows graphite.
Less suitable: You need a listing with no paste line, a measured fine grade, or a maker-named tube.
Specifications
- Model
- Pressol graphite 50 g
- Brand
- Pressol
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(2,168)
- Job
- Locks, in reviews
- Stated fill
- 50 g
- Applicator
- Nozzle in reviews
- Grease-free
- Yes
- Container
- Squeeze bottle
- UK review note
- Locks; nozzle can clog
Common questions
Is this sold as grease-free graphite?
The title says natural graphite, 50 g, grease-free. A separate attribute block says item form paste and an SAE viscosity grade. Both are in the capture.
What do the UK reviews use it on?
The reviews read are mostly sticky door locks and padlocks. Several say a water-displacing spray had already been tried. One reviewer found the powder too coarse for model finishes.
Does the listing include a measured particle size?
No. Particle size is not stated. One review calls the powder too coarse for a metallic model finish.
Our view
Inoxia lists 500 g of synthetic, micronised graphite at about £13.39, and a bullet states 300 mesh. It shows 4.6 from 105 amazon.co.uk reviews. The stored texts mention keyholes, conductive paint or ink, blending a grease, pencils and art. There is no conductivity figure on the listing, so a paint that conducted in one review is not a specification. No applicator is listed, and reviewers say the powder arrived in a bag rather than a resealable tub. It is the bulk bag when you already decant into your own pot. The score is 82, below the lock puffs because the sample is smaller.
Pros
- 500 g at about £13.39 with 300 mesh stated
- Synthetic and micronised on the title
- Reviews describe a powder without obvious clumps
- Texts mention keyholes, art and conductive paint
Cons
- No nozzle or tub; reviews say a bag
- 105 reviews, a smaller sample than the lock puffs
- No grease-free sentence and no conductivity figure
- Dusty to handle, in the review notes
Best for: You want a stated 300 mesh grade in a 500 g bag and you will store it in your own pot.
Less suitable: You want a ready spout for one lock, or a guaranteed conductive grade.
Specifications
- Model
- Inoxia synthetic graphite 500 g
- Brand
- Inoxia
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(105)
- Job
- Bulk workshop bag
- Stated fill
- 500 g
- Particle size
- 300 mesh
- Container
- Bag in reviews
- UK review note
- Bag, not a tub
Common questions
What grade does the listing state?
The title says synthetic, micronised, 500 g. A bullet states particle size 300 mesh.
Is there a nozzle?
No applicator is listed. Reviews say the powder arrived in a bag rather than a resealable tub.
What do reviewers use it for?
The stored texts mention keyholes, conductive paint or ink, blending a grease, pencils and art. There is no conductivity figure in the listing.
Our view
This Koh-I-Noor bottle is 80 ml at about £8.40, listed at 4.4 from 207 amazon.co.uk reviews, with 27 United Kingdom texts. Those texts split between shading drawings and freeing a sticky key or a car ignition when the powder was put on the key. A material line says finely ground, with no mesh number. The same GTIN 08593539100218 and model 975608000000 also appear on the TG80 listing at about £8.20. The best-sellers line sits under grocery powder detergent, which is a catalogue placement, not a use. UK reviews report a lighter tone than some artists wanted, and bottles that arrived cracked or leaking. One reviewer wanted a conductive coating and said this bottle conducted poorly. The score is 76.
Pros
- 80 ml at about £8.40, 4.4 from 207 reviews
- UK texts cover shading and sticky keys
- Finely ground on the material line
- Drawing reviews say the bottle looks larger than the photo
Cons
- Same GTIN and model as the TG80 listing
- No mesh number and no grease-free claim
- Cracked or leaking bottles in the UK reviews
- Grocery detergent rank; poor conductivity in one review
Best for: You want an 80 ml artist bottle and you accept that some buyers also use it on keys.
Less suitable: You need a dedicated lock spout, a unique listing, or a conductive grade.
Specifications
- Model
- Koh-I-Noor graphite powder 80 ml
- Brand
- Koh-I-Noor
- Price
- ∼£8
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(207)
- Job
- Drawing and locks
- Stated fill
- 80 ml
- Container
- Bottle
- UK review note
- Cracked or leaking bottles
Common questions
Is this the same item as the other Koh-I-Noor ASIN?
This listing and the TG80 listing share GTIN 08593539100218 and model 975608000000. The prices in the capture are about £8.40 and about £8.20.
What do the reviews use it for?
UK reviews mention sticky locks and a car ignition, and also shading drawings. One reviewer wanted conductive coatings and said this bottle conducted poorly.
Why is the best-sellers line under grocery?
The capture ranks it in grocery powder detergent. That is a catalogue line, not a stated use.
Our view
The ninesung listing is about £17.83 and claims 13 micron, 1000 grit, and 8 oz of dry graphite. The UK star line is 4.4 from 189 reviews. The 49 review texts in the file are from the United States, so they are not UK opinion. Those texts often say a pouch arrived instead of the jar in the photo, and one says the contents were not graphite, with no second check in the file. Item weight is 22.6 g while the unit count is about 227 g. The score is 66. It is a fine-grade claim on paper, and a weak buy until the parcel weight matches the title.
Pros
- 13 micron and 1000 mesh printed on the listing
- Dry graphite is on the title
- 4.4 from 189 on the UK star line
- Listing mentions locks, pigment and resin
Cons
- Item weight 22.6 g against about 227 g
- Listing says a pouch may replace the jar
- Stored review texts are United States, not UK
- One of those texts says the contents were not graphite
Best for: You already know this seller's pouch and you are buying a claimed 13 micron grade for pigment or resin.
Less suitable: You want a UK review sample, a lock nozzle, or a fill weight that matches the title.
Specifications
- Model
- ninesung graphite powder 8 oz
- Brand
- ninesung
- Price
- ∼£18
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(189)
- Job
- Locks and pigment
- Stated fill
- 8 oz; weights clash
- Grease-free
- Yes
- Particle size
- 13 micron
- Container
- Pouch may replace jar
- UK review note
- No UK review text
Common questions
What particle size is claimed?
The listing says 13 micron, 1000 grit, and the model string says 1000 mesh. No independent test is in the capture.
Why do the weights disagree?
The title says 8 oz and the unit count is about 227 g. Item weight is 22.6 g. The capture does not say which figure is the fill.
Are the written reviews British?
The 49 review texts in the file are from the United States. The 4.4 from 189 figure is the UK listing line. Reviewers often say a pouch arrived instead of the jar in the photo.
Our view
The Koh-I-Noor TG80 listing is 80 ml at about £8.20, with bullets aimed at graphite drawings on paper, and it shows 4.3 from 125 reviews. All 12 stored texts are marked United Kingdom. It shares GTIN 08593539100218 and model 975608000000 with the other Koh-I-Noor row, so it is not a second grade. Several reviews say it suits locks where oil will not, while others discuss drawing tone. A bullet says 80 g while the volume is 80 ml and the item weight is 36.9 g. One field says waterproof is false and another says water repellent. UK reviews say the nozzle closure is poor. The score is 71.
Pros
- About £8.20 for 80 ml, the lower Koh-I-Noor price
- Bullets name drawing and painting on paper
- UK reviews include locks where oil was refused
- 12 United Kingdom texts in the file
Cons
- Same GTIN and model as the £8.40 listing
- 4.3 from 125 reviews, below the other Koh-I-Noor line
- 80 g, 80 ml and 36.9 g do not agree
- Cap and nozzle closure complaints in the UK reviews
Best for: You specifically want the TG80 listing and you have checked it is the bottle you expect.
Less suitable: You want the larger review sample, a lock-only spout, or a tin that does not share a code with another ASIN.
Specifications
- Model
- Koh-I-Noor TG80 graphite powder
- Brand
- Koh-I-Noor
- Price
- ∼£8
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(125)
- Job
- Drawing on paper
- Stated fill
- 80 ml; weight 36.9 g
- Container
- Bottle
- UK review note
- Poor cap
Common questions
What does the listing say it is for?
The bullets say graphite drawings, drawing and painting, on paper. The manufacturer field says Artstat and the brand is Koh-I-Noor.
Do reviewers use it on locks?
Several of the 12 UK reviews say it suits locks where oil will not, including one buyer who was told that by a locksmith. Other reviews discuss drawing tone and cling.
Does it share a code with another listing?
GTIN 08593539100218 and model 975608000000 are the same as the other Koh-I-Noor bottle in this set.
How we compared
Shelf prices, stars and review notes are the amazon.co.uk snapshot of 21 October 2026 already stored for these ten listings. This is not a lab test of particle size, lock wear, conductivity or drawing tone. Each score adds four marks: amazon.co.uk stars (weight 40), the size of the review sample (28), whether fill, form and particle size agree inside the listing (20), and United Kingdom review text (12). The highest score is the top pick. Best value is the lowest shelf price in this capture that still has a large review sample. A 5.0 from two or three ratings is not the top pick. United States review text is not UK opinion.
1
Amazon stars
40%Stars are multiplied by 8 and rounded. A 4.7 becomes 38. A 5.0 becomes 40. The star line is the amazon.co.uk figure on the saved listing, not a lab score.
2
Review sample
28%28 points at 3,000 reviews or more, 24 from 1,000 to 2,999, 18 from 100 to 999, 12 from 20 to 99, 6 from 2 to 19, 2 for a single review, and 0 if none. The two Koh-I-Noor counts are not added together.
3
Listing clarity
20%Starts at 20 and loses points when the listing disagrees with itself: paste against a powder title, a fill that does not match the weight, a pack count that does not match one bottle, a missing mesh number, or a shared GTIN.
4
UK review text
12%12 points when two or more United Kingdom review bodies are stored, 4 for one, and 2 when there is a star line but no UK review body. A repeated fault, such as an open cap or a clogged tip, cuts 3. Text stored as United States is not UK opinion.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Graphite powder buying guide
You are choosing a dry carbon powder for a stiff key, a drawing, or a workshop bag. The ten amazon.co.uk listings captured on 21 October 2026 run from about £5.17 to about £18.85. A puff bottle, an artist tin and a bulk bag are different products, and the cylinder maker's leaflet outranks the shelf price. The top pick is the Kasp pack of 2 when the maker allows graphite and you want the largest review sample. Best value is Pressol at about £5.17 if you accept that an attribute block says paste.
What is graphite powder?
Graphite powder in this comparison is a dry carbon powder. On amazon.co.uk it is sold as a grease-free puff for a stiff key, as an artist tin or bottle for tone and a metallic rub, and as a workshop bag with a stated mesh. Those are three products. A keyway needs a puff bottle. A drawing or a rub on a primed model needs an artist tin or bottle. A workshop bag is for someone who will decant into their own pot. Do not sort the table by price per gram across those jobs.
Best for
- A stiff lock or padlock whose maker allows a dry graphite puff
- Drawing, primed models, or a workshop bag with a stated mesh
Not ideal for
- A cylinder whose maker bans graphite, including some high-security locks
- A smart-lock circuit, or a keyway that already has oil in it
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Spraying oil into the cylinder
Standard water-displacing spray is a poor lock lubricant. Several makers say oil voids the care they specify. Do not put graphite on top of oil already in the keyway.
- 2
Emptying the bottle into the keyway
Lock reviews say a little works. A heavy squeeze makes a mess, marks the door, or blocks the nozzle. Dose lightly, then wipe.
- 3
Buying glitter or charcoal because the title looks grey
A grey cosmetic glitter and a charcoal powder were dropped from this set. A grey title is not graphite, and charcoal is not a lock puff.
What to weigh up
Job, maker rule and dose
HighThe first check is the job. A keyway needs a puff bottle. A drawing or a metallic rub on a primed model needs an artist tin or bottle. A workshop bag is a third product, for someone who will decant it. Do not sort those three by price per gram. The second check is the cylinder maker's leaflet. Ultion's page says use its micro graphite about every six months and do not use oils or WD-40. Avocet ABS Ultimate text specifies ABS graphite powder and says WD-40 or 3-in-1 oil voids that guarantee.
Listing clarity and evidence
HighWhat the listing actually states comes next. Microfine, micro and finely ground are not mesh numbers. In this set only Inoxia states 300 mesh, on the 500 g synthetic bag at about £13.39, and only ninesung states 13 micron or 1000 grit. Pressol's title says 50 g natural graphite, grease-free, while an attribute block says paste and SAE J300 0W-20. Kasp's title says a pack of 2 and the included line says one tin. Lution's number-of-items line says 50 against one 50 g bottle.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Drawing and props
You want tone on paper or a metallic rub on a primed model, not a keyway nozzle. The Cretacolor 150 g tin is the artist pack at about £18.85, with 4.7 from 2,439 reviews. UK texts are about drawing and props, and lids can spill.
Workshop mesh bag
You want a stated mesh in a bag and you will store it in your own pot. Inoxia is 500 g at about £13.39 with 300 mesh stated and 4.6 from 105 reviews. Reviews say it arrives as a bag, so it is a clumsy choice for one front-door puff.
Common questions about graphite powders
What is the top graphite powder in this 2026 comparison?
The top pick is the Kasp K30050 pack of 2 at about £10.70. It scores 88, the highest in this set: 4.7 from 5,371 amazon.co.uk reviews, a greaseless powder and a fine spout. Fifty United Kingdom texts describe door locks and padlocks freeing after a light puff. The included-components line says one tin, a volume field says 0.3 litres, and UK reviews repeat open caps and clogged tips. This is not a lab test. Use it only if the cylinder maker allows graphite.
How much does graphite powder cost?
On the 21 October 2026 amazon.co.uk capture, the ten listings run from about £5.17 to about £18.85. About £5 to £7 is an entry lock puff. About £8 to £12 covers the artist bottles and the larger lock samples, including Kasp at about £10.70. About £13 to £19 covers a 500 g bag, a claimed fine grade, and a 150 g drawing tin. Do not compare a lock puff with an artist tin by price per gram. These figures are this capture only.
What should I check before I buy graphite powder?
Start with the job: a keyway, a drawing, or a workshop bag. Then read the cylinder maker's leaflet. Some makers name their own graphite and ban oil. At least one maker bans graphite as well. For a lock, prefer a spout you can dose lightly. Treat microfine as a word, not a mesh number. In this set only two listings print a particle figure. If the title says powder and another line says paste, keep both lines.
Can I use oil in the lock instead of graphite powder?
Several UK lock makers say oil or a water-displacing spray is the wrong lubricant, and some say it voids the care they specify. Some name a graphite powder and an interval of about six months. Others say do not use graphite on their cylinders at all. Follow the leaflet that came with the door. If the wrong product is already in a high-security cylinder, stop and ask the maker or a locksmith. A dry film that is not graphite is a different product.
What particle size is stated on these listings?
Only the 500 g synthetic listing states 300 mesh, and only the 8 oz listing states 13 micron or 1000 grit. Micro, finely ground and pure are not mesh numbers. The 8 oz listing also shows an item weight of 22.6 g against a unit count near 227 g, and it says a pouch may replace the jar. The written reviews in that file are from the United States, so they are not UK opinion. Do not turn a marketing word into a micron figure.
Is graphite powder safe to breathe?
HSE EH40/2005 lists graphite with workplace limits of 10 mg/m³ inhalable and 4 mg/m³ respirable as an 8-hour average. COSHH binds employers. A domestic puff is not a workplace assessment, and a CLP sheet with no health classification does not make the dust safe to inhale. Do not breathe a cloud, and vacuum a spill. Graphite conducts, and a spill is slippery. Keep it off electrical equipment. A small bottle is not the large-quantity fire note on a laboratory sheet.
Can lock powder be used for drawing?
A lock puff and an artist tin are different products. Drawing listings here talk about large areas, water or a binder, and a tin you brush from. United Kingdom reviews of the 150 g tin are about shading and a metallic rub on primed models, not keyways. Charcoal powder and cosmetic glitter were left out of this set because a grey title is not graphite. If you want tone or a prop finish, buy the artist pack.
When should I call a locksmith?
Call a locksmith if the key is stuck or snapped, the cylinder spins, or a multipoint lock still will not throw. A light puff is for a stiff key when the maker allows graphite. Emptying the bottle into the keyway, spraying oil first, or putting graphite on top of that oil are the mistakes the lock guidance warns about. If the wrong product is already in a high-security cylinder, stop and ask the maker or a locksmith.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Kasp K30050 pack of 2 at about £10.70. It scores 88, the highest here: 4.7 from 5,371 amazon.co.uk reviews, a greaseless lock powder with a fine spout, and 50 United Kingdom texts. The included line says one tin, and UK reviews repeat open caps and clogged tips. Best value is Pressol 50 g at about £5.17, the lowest price in this capture, with 4.6 from 2,168 reviews and a score of 77. The title says grease-free graphite and an attribute block says paste. Cretacolor scores 87 and is a drawing tin, not the lock pick. A 5.0 from two or three ratings is not the top pick.
Best value
View offer
Pressol graphite 50 g
About £5.17, the lowest price in this capture, with 4.6 from 2,168 reviews and a score of 77.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsDIY suppliesamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to graphite powders
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Graphite powder buying guideLock puff, artist tin or bulk bag, and the cylinder maker's rule.Best graphite powderWho the top pick is for, and who should skip it.How to use graphite powderA light dose on a permitted lock, then when to stop.Graphite powder versus oilDry graphite against oil, and makers that ban graphite.Graphite powder for drawingShading and props, and why charcoal is a different powder.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings compared on this page. Listings captured 21 October 2026. Updated October 2026.
- HSE EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- HSE COSHH (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Inoxia graphite powder safety data sheet (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Flints graphite powder safety data sheet (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Ultion lock lubricant (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Avocet ABS graphite powder (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- APECS lock care (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Jackson's Art: graphite and charcoal (retrieved 21 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk (tag pcuk26-21). If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures already stored for this set. This is not a laboratory test.