Where to buy Almond Oil?

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:00 pm

Then, I take it Lorezo's Oil is almond. . .

Stuart

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:06 pm

it took me a few minutes...I haven't been to the movies for a while but that one did ring a bell.

selkie · Post by **selkie** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:09 pm

Most Aromatherapists use it and can supply you with some. Beware though that some players have nut allergy and can react from it if in contact with the flute. I have nut allergy and use Lemon oil for cleaning recorders,

CALMONTMUSIC · Post by **CALMONTMUSIC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 3:10 am

I got an interesting tip from B. Howard who suggested that i use Bicycle oil instead of almond oil. The particular problem that i was experiencing was that the accumulation of large water droplets that collected inside the flute. These had become over large in places and effected the tuning and performance of the flute. (I am a very wet blower)

I thought that he was kidding me but i tried it myself and it definelty does work. The water droplets are considerably smaller and i have been using it ever since on my own flutes. I have not experienced any problems since. It also lasts longer that almond oil.

all the best
John

Gordon · Post by **Gordon** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:18 am

The question, of course, to most of us, is what is bicycle oil?
My guess is that it's a petroleum-based oil. For reasons both karmic and scientific, most here refuse to wipe petroleum distillates on their flutes. Pure mineral oil is the least offensive and most widely used, and probably the most effective moisture barrier. The problem with other petroleum based oils are impurities that a) might effect your health, and b) might be slowly eating away at the wood. Mineral oil won't do that, at least not in your lifetime, but still most of us prefer a vegetable-based oil.
The best barrier oil I know is raw linseed, which hardens over time. The drawback there is that a drip inside will congeal, changing the bore dimensions, so, after letting it soak into your flute for a bit, wipe all the excess out, and don't use it as often as, say, almond.
I'd be curious to know, then, what's in bicycle oil, but my guess is I wouldn't want to put it on or in my flute, nor put my lips to it or nostrils near it. I'd suggest a pure mineral oil in your case, or raw linseed.
Gordon

CALMONTMUSIC · Post by **CALMONTMUSIC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:35 am

Dear gordon
I dont know whats in bicycle oil. All I know is that you can purchase it in small tins with a long spout. Mainly from shops like Halfords. A similar oil over here is called 3 in one It is a very thin and pure oil.

Interesting you should mention the linseed oil. I remember my father acutally heating it up and leaving his flute in it overnight. If effect giving it a hot bath.

I also had a flute that had the bore polished with carnabua wax. It looked like a sheet of black glass. Needless to say i never had to oil that one.

I also had a japanese flute that had some sort of laquer in the bore.

Another good oil for sealing the flute is Behandala oil. That is a bit like linseed only it dries harder.

There are numerous other oils that are suitable for this task . I suppose it depends on the nature of the wood as to which oil may be more suitable than another.

I would be interested to know what other oils players use and what type of wood their flute is made from

all the best

John

andrew · Post by **andrew** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:26 pm

Does anybody use Tung oil ? Perhaps it is too tough. I have often wondered about using it for varnish making instead of linseed oil .I sometimes think I should get a big bath of oil and throw all my flutes in until such time as I might want one -No more nasty surprises perhaps .

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 8:28 am

andrew wrote:Does anybody use Tung oil ?

Ralph Sweet does, and i'm sure others do too.

andrew · Post by **andrew** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 10:16 am

Now I must find who Ralph Sweet is .He sounds a sensible type of fellow !

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 10:21 am

andrew wrote:Now I must find who Ralph Sweet is .He sounds a sensible type of fellow !

http://www.sweetheartflute.com/

A very decent guy, whose name reflects his personality. A somewhat unorthodox instrument builder, and a good Sweet flute is an outstanding instrument for the price.

g

jim_mc · Post by **jim_mc** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 7:36 pm

Gordon wrote:Are you talking to me? (Pacino-style voice optional).

Gordon, I'm surprised at you! Any New Yorker worth his salt would know that was a DeNiro quote, not Pacino!

Over the years, I've used mineral oil, bore oil, linseed oil, almond oil and the Bore Doctor stuff. There are a handful of fifers who swear by the Bore Doctor oil, but I don't know if it's any better than the rest of the stuff, and it's pretty expensive. I don't like linseed oil because of the build-up. I'm now back to almond oil, which I get at a beauty supply place (with vitamin E already added). If you're looking in a health food store, remember to look not in the food area, but in the health and beauty products area. Almond oil does need to be applied more frequently than any of the others, but I happen to enjoy the time spent taking care of my instruments. What can I say - I have a bit of a compulsive streak.

Gordon · Post by **Gordon** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 8:04 pm

jim_mc wrote:[

Gordon, I'm surprised at you! Any New Yorker worth his salt would know that was a DeNiro quote, not Pacino!

Almond oil does need to be applied more frequently than any of the others, but I happen to enjoy the time spent taking care of my instruments. What can I say - I have a bit of a compulsive streak.

[/quote]

Quite right, Jim, but then, real New Yorkers don't need to delve into local cinematic mystique, either. Otherwise, what can I say? A method-actor mental slip? I've lived here most of my life, but perhaps my head, or heart, is somewhere far away, and a lot quieter...

I've gone back pretty exclusively to almond, as well, and much for the same reasons, particularly on my boxwood flute, which absorbs it in a satisfying, likes-to-be pampered way. Almond on the blackwood is fairly unsatisfying, as it's wiped on and there it sits, but that's true of all oils on the blackwood.

Best,
Gordon

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 8:04 pm

I prefer walnut oil. It is thin and won't turn rancid.

Ted

Tradman · Post by **Tradman** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:06 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I finally bought a bottle here today up in Jacksonville at Native Sun Health Food Store for about $5 and it's sweet almond oil with vitamin E added. Never knew this one topic would sprout so tall!

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 12:29 am

Some related advice from J.J. Quantz's treatise 'On playing the Flute',published in 1752 ;
"Since harmful moisture forms in the Flute when it is blown,it must be frequently and carefully cleaned with a rag attached to a little stick.And so that the moisture is not absorbed by the wood,it must be smeared occasionally with oil of almonds."
Quantz knew nothing of vitamin E of course!.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Where to buy Almond Oil?

Re: thanks

Re: thanks

I found it!