Raw or Boiled That Is The Question ???

[Phil562]

Could someone tell me the difference between Raw (type for Cricket Bats) and Boiled Linseed Oil.

Could I use Raw on wooden handles (knife & axe) or should I used Boiled and if so why ?

 

[led]

The main difference between the two is drying times. Boiled is generally better for tool handles as it will dry more quickly. You can use raw linseed oil, but it might remain a bit oily for longer -- not quite what you want with a knife or axe handle!

 

[C_Claycomb]

If you do a search for Linseed, or Danish Oil, you will find a lot of good info here already. As Led said, the difference between boiled and raw is drying time.

Personally I like Danish Oil a bit better than linseed, it seems to penetrate better, and dry faster. I take a jar, or bottle, fill with oil, and drown handle for a day or so so that it is thoroughly soaked, then let dry.

 

[Phil562]

Thanks for your that

Did search for linseed but could'nt find an explanation for boiled or raw, as my teacher used to say "must try harder next time"

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

Raw linseed oil and turpentine was the old preservative used for wood stocked military small arms. Petroleum based oils soften and breakdown wood fibres. Boiled linseed oil is simply more stable and not prone to rancidity. It is also toxic and many a livestock owner advised to add linseed in grain or oil to an animal's diet has heard this lecture. There truly are many fine oils with added qualities available such as Danish oil. Unless your restoring great grandfather's Zulu War Martini .577 talk to the local cabinet maker.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I asked this question a long time ago on rec.knives and got some interesting replies.

It seems that the term "boiling" refers to the old process of heating the oil in a double-boiler, in order to dissolve toxic cadmium salts in the oil to act as a siccative.

What might be described nowadays as "boiled linseed oil" would be oil mixed with a small amount of siccative which contains much less (if any) cadmium, and is much less toxic.

I have bought "raw" linseed oil, and added siccative that I bought separately, without suffering tooooo manynny side ifficx.


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