Reply To: Tool Handles
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Hi Paul,
I agree 500% as the differences you’ve indicated make a very good point. 🙂
I much prefer penetrating oils – rather than surface treatments – and come from a similar school where boiled linseed oil was widely used.  I love the feel and resulting “burnished” finish whilst it allows underlying surface qualities (Texture & luster) to shine through without inhibiting one’s ability to vary end results in terms of matt, satin and higher gloss textures.  It’s a very tactile finish. 🙂
It’s much the same sensation for me with the Danish oil I prefer to use (Liberon Superior Danish Oil/ Liberon Danish Oil), as I find it penetrates and enhances the natural graining in hard and softwoods in much the same way as boiled linseed oil, although faster drying due to additives. Â It is low build while leaving a very natural feel/texture to the wood without leaving the resulting surface with the feel of being plastic coated. Â If the resulting surface feels tacky/plastic in any way, a quick wipe over with white spirit relieves the surface of excess oil, as this tends to be caused by the presence of surplus finish.
It’s a joy to apply – as well as easy to patch/repair – but much of the surface finish I achieve is via the underlying timber preparation rather than relying upon high build finishes.