A good lubricant for all open gears is Lubriplate high temperature
grease, as is used on the screw of 'Genie' garage door openers.
Another good lubricant is a high temperature lubricant containing
molybdenum disulfide.  Both hold up well and stay on the gear well.
I hope this doesn't cause a great debate, but modern lubricants are
much preferred to old time axle grease.

By the way, another good lubricant is motorcycle chain lubricant,
either spray or paste.  It also stays in place well and will far
outlast old soap based lubricants.

Jim Cook