Scents and our perception of good or foul has a lot to do with our memories and frame of reference.
I've always liked Hoppe's #9 and the smell of bituminous coal burning. Both are linked to favorite activities and childhood memories with my dad. Him cleaning his Chief's Special after a day at the range with me makes #9 a must have, even if I do use newer solvents for the heavy stuff. As for the coal, well I am addicted to steam locomotives, as you should be able to tell by my handle
Coal smoke, hot oil and grease, steam seeping water dripping makes the steam locomotive the most alive machine ever created.
My wife HATED both Hoppe's and coal smoke smell when we first met. I'd smell a coal furnace and comment about 'good old coal smoke, brings back memories' and my wife would go 'Yuck! Smells like the fires of hell'. I'd clean a gun and 'Man the whole house reeks. What is that foul stuff you're using?' Then I took my wife to Strasburg RR in Lancaster County, PA and she saw her first live steam locomotive. After that day she has been hooked on trains and when health and finances permit, it is her favorite vacation activity. She smells coal smoke now and says" boy- we need to go ride a train!"
Got her into shooting. Shew is now quite a decent shot with a variety of guns. Guess what, she likes the smell of Hoppe's now. I was cleaning guns last week and she mentioned "That smell reminds me of my dad cleaning his rifle after deer season. We need to go shooting this weekend."
I've always liked Hoppe's #9 and the smell of bituminous coal burning. Both are linked to favorite activities and childhood memories with my dad. Him cleaning his Chief's Special after a day at the range with me makes #9 a must have, even if I do use newer solvents for the heavy stuff. As for the coal, well I am addicted to steam locomotives, as you should be able to tell by my handle

My wife HATED both Hoppe's and coal smoke smell when we first met. I'd smell a coal furnace and comment about 'good old coal smoke, brings back memories' and my wife would go 'Yuck! Smells like the fires of hell'. I'd clean a gun and 'Man the whole house reeks. What is that foul stuff you're using?' Then I took my wife to Strasburg RR in Lancaster County, PA and she saw her first live steam locomotive. After that day she has been hooked on trains and when health and finances permit, it is her favorite vacation activity. She smells coal smoke now and says" boy- we need to go ride a train!"
Got her into shooting. Shew is now quite a decent shot with a variety of guns. Guess what, she likes the smell of Hoppe's now. I was cleaning guns last week and she mentioned "That smell reminds me of my dad cleaning his rifle after deer season. We need to go shooting this weekend."