Thought i put down some information, very basicily, that might be useful and others could add too...
There are two distinct wood finishes: Those that are abosorbed into the wood and feed it and those that may soak in a little but then harden and form a protective layer on top.
Most oils fall into the first. When you coat your spoon, etc in them they soak into the outer surface and sit there. This prevents water entering easily but it is not long lasting as the oils will leave the wood each time it is touched or washed.
Adding extra coats dosent really add a lot of additional protection. But if you warm the oil it will penertrate the wood deeper. Leaving your project to soak in the oil for a day or two will be even better.
Its also worth considering what oil to use: olive, sunflower, walnut, linseed...
Cooking oils are all good for spoons kuksas, etc . The linseed you can normally buy contains alot of other stuff so is best avoided but you can buy pure linseed which is great.
Worth avoiding Walnut oil sometimes in case of allergies.
Also consider the colour of the oil, the lighter it is obviously the natural colours of the wood will show better.
Boiled linseed is the second type of finish. It does penetrate the wood slightly but then drys to form a skin. So additional coats build on this and add more protection. Great for walking sticks,etc.
Other products have additives that make this finish harder; Danish Oil, Lyberons Finishing Oil (my favourite!)
Beeswax polish is similar.
Its worth knowing that when wood aborbs water it cells can swell to larger than when it was green. This breaks down the structure and weakens the wood but oils dont do this. Hence if your axe head is loose dont soak it in water but use linseed oil. (And then drive another wooden wedge in!)
That's all that comes to mind for now, hope it's helpful!
There are two distinct wood finishes: Those that are abosorbed into the wood and feed it and those that may soak in a little but then harden and form a protective layer on top.
Most oils fall into the first. When you coat your spoon, etc in them they soak into the outer surface and sit there. This prevents water entering easily but it is not long lasting as the oils will leave the wood each time it is touched or washed.
Adding extra coats dosent really add a lot of additional protection. But if you warm the oil it will penertrate the wood deeper. Leaving your project to soak in the oil for a day or two will be even better.
Its also worth considering what oil to use: olive, sunflower, walnut, linseed...
Cooking oils are all good for spoons kuksas, etc . The linseed you can normally buy contains alot of other stuff so is best avoided but you can buy pure linseed which is great.
Worth avoiding Walnut oil sometimes in case of allergies.
Also consider the colour of the oil, the lighter it is obviously the natural colours of the wood will show better.
Boiled linseed is the second type of finish. It does penetrate the wood slightly but then drys to form a skin. So additional coats build on this and add more protection. Great for walking sticks,etc.
Other products have additives that make this finish harder; Danish Oil, Lyberons Finishing Oil (my favourite!)
Beeswax polish is similar.
Its worth knowing that when wood aborbs water it cells can swell to larger than when it was green. This breaks down the structure and weakens the wood but oils dont do this. Hence if your axe head is loose dont soak it in water but use linseed oil. (And then drive another wooden wedge in!)
That's all that comes to mind for now, hope it's helpful!
