by Kelly Reeves
There’s a special kind of nostalgia that comes with the scent of Hoppe’s #9, the iconic gun cleaning solvent that’s been a staple in firearm maintenance for well over a century.
If you’ve ever dabbled into the world of shooting sports, hunting, or even inherited a gun cabinet from a relative, chances are you’ve encountered this little amber bottle of olfactory wonder. For those unfamiliar, Hoppe’s #9 smells like a strange but heavenly mix of bananas, cinnamon, and the faint suggestion of a chemistry lab explosion — a smell so distinctive that it’s been described as “gunpowder’s cologne.”
My earliest memory of Hoppe’s #9 comes from the back porch of Mr. Herbie Hancock. He was a grizzled old hunter who could tell you the migratory habits of ducks better than most wildlife biologists, and out perform any trick shooter since Annie Oakley. Every fall, he’d prepare for hunting season by cleaning his shotguns with the reverence of a priest polishing the sacred communion cup. The ritual always began with the unmistakable pop of the Hoppe’s cap. The moment that bottle opened, the screened in porch filled with a scent that I’m pretty sure could double as an aphrodisiac for outdoor enthusiasts.
As a child, guns were common tools and used almost daily by the grownups for one reason or another. I respected guns in general, and had a love and appreciation for the beautiful craftsmanship of many of them. I knew guns were necessary and I knew how to shoot, but I didn’t know a whole lot about maintaining them. However, I quickly learned this: Hoppes #9 smelled amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I once dabbed a bit behind my ears, hoping it would make me irresistible to my sixth-grade crush. It didn’t of course, but it did earn me a stern talking-to from my teacher and a note to my mother explaining why I smelled like a chemistry set gone rogue.
But Hoppe’s #9 isn’t just about the smell; it’s about the memories it creates. For many, the solvent is synonymous with bonding moments. Fathers teaching sons how to clean their first rifle, old friends swapping hunting stories over a cluttered workbench, or a curious kid like me marveling at the grown-up world of tools and tradition.
Of course, not everyone uses Hoppe’s #9 for its intended purpose. Over the years, this magical elixir has found itself repurposed in ways that would make its inventor, Frank August Hoppe, either beam with pride or shake his head in disbelief. Here are just a few unconventional uses for this legendary solvent:
Aromatherapy Experiment
Some people burn candles for relaxation; others diffuse lavender essential oil. But for the niche crowd of Hoppe’s enthusiasts, there’s no substitute for the calming scent of #9. A friend of mine once rigged up a makeshift diffuser using a lightbulb and a few drops of Hoppe’s. It was an innovative idea until the apartment manager complained about the “chemical factory smell” drifting into the hallways. We went through a police investigation that night as the officer suspected we were cooking methamphetamines. Luckily, the officer had experience with Hoppe’s #9 and quickly realized that no crime had been committed. That experiment caused some problems but I’ll admit, his apartment had a certain rugged charm.
The Accidental Perfume
We’ve already touched on my misguided attempt to use Hoppe’s as a sixth-grade cologne, but I’m not alone in this. There are countless stories of people who’ve accidentally worn the solvent to work or social events, either because it spilled on their clothes or because they genuinely thought it might be a good idea. Fun fact: Hoppes #9 does not pair well with fine dining, first dates, or, frankly, anything that requires you to be within three feet of a female human being.
DIY Household Cleaner
Hoppe’s #9’s grease-cutting abilities are legendary, which means some enterprising individuals have used it to clean more than just gun parts. Greasy stove tops, grimy tools, and even a particularly stubborn bathtub ring have all met their match with a few dabs of Hoppe’s. However, the lingering scent means your kitchen might smell like a hunting lodge for weeks. Proceed with caution.
Car Freshener
Have you ever climbed into someone’s truck and been instantly transported to a hunting cabin deep in the woods? There’s a good chance Hoppes #9 is to blame. While not officially marketed as an air freshener, it’s not uncommon for a bottle to spill or for someone to “accidentally” leave it open in the cupholder. Whether this enhances or ruins the car’s ambiance depends entirely on your tolerance for nostalgia.
Pet Repellent
It turns out that while humans might find the scent of Hoppes intoxicating, some animals do not share our enthusiasm. My dog Maggie, for instance, took one whiff of an open bottle and gave me a look that can only be described as “profound betrayal.” She then ran circles for a while, sneezing the entire time and rubbing her face in the grass. This discovery led to the accidental invention of the world’s least marketable pet deterrent. “Hoppes: Keeping Your Couch Dog-Free Since 1903.”
Paint Remover
Need to remove a stubborn streak of paint from your fingernails, your tools, or a new granite counter top? Hoppes #9 might be up to the task. A buddy of mine once discovered this trick after a particularly messy DIY project. The paint came off his wife’s gardening table beautifully, though his wife was less than thrilled about the lingering scent in the garage. Pro tip: Always wear gloves, unless you’re looking to carry the aroma of Hoppe’s with you for days.
Campfire Starter
While not officially sanctioned by safety experts (or common sense), Hoppes #9 has been known to assist in starting stubborn campfires. A few drops on a cotton ball, some kindling and voila! You’ve got a blaze going. Just don’t blame me if the resulting fumes attract every hunting enthusiast within a 10-mile radius.
“Man Cave” Aroma Enhancer
Forget expensive room sprays and scented candles. For the discerning man cave owner, Hoppe’s #9 provides an unmatched aroma that says, “Welcome to the den of rugged men.” Just leave the bottle open on a shelf, and let the magic happen. Add a 1940’s Emerson oscillating fan to spread the aroma and you have a home-run. Visitors may wonder why your room smells like a combination of nostalgia and freshly cleaned carburetors, but they’ll also secretly envy you.
The Unexpected Art Supply
Hoppe’s ability to clean grease and grime has led some adventurous artists to incorporate it into their creative process. One acquaintance of mine swears by using Hoppe’s to clean his brushes after painting with oil-based paints. While this isn’t its intended use, it’s hard to argue with the results. Just don’t mix up your art supplies with your gun cleaning kit—that’s a recipe for confusion and some very strange abstract art.
Despite these unconventional uses, Hoppes #9 remains a long-lasting symbol of the shooting world’s love affair with tradition. It’s not just a solvent; it’s a time capsule, a passport to cherished memories, and a unifier for generations of enthusiasts.
Years later, I still keep a few bottles of Hoppes #9 in my shop even though I don’t clean guns as often as I should. Sometimes, I’ll unscrew the cap just to take a whiff and be instantly transported back to Mr. Hancock’s screened proch. In that moment, I can almost hear him chuckling at my childhood antics and offering a piece of wisdom about life, hunting, hound dogs, or the importance of properly cleaning a barrel.
The thing about Hoppe’s #9 is that it’s more than a product; it’s a connection to something bigger. It’s a reminder of time spent with loved ones, of stories shared and skills passed down. It’s a tiny amber bottle of nostalgia, sealed with a cap that pops like the start of an adventure.
So here’s to Hoppe’s #9: the scent of memories, the essence of tradition, and the only solvent that doubles as both a cleaner and an emotional time machine. Whether you use it to clean your firearms, your stovetop, or just your soul, it’s a little reminder that some things — like the smell of adventure — never go out of style.
