Ye olde oil debate & flaxseed question

[Jayhawk]

OK - I've searched the archives, read woodenflute.com's Q&A on oiling, and looked at most makers pages on what oil is best for the flute. The three leading canidates were commercial bore oil (like Dr. Sprolls or LeBlanc), almond oil or flaxseed oil.

Feel free to vote in the poll above, but I'm leaning towards either LeBlancs or flaxseed oil since you'll have to oil less frequently. Actually, I'm fairly close to choosing faxseed oil because it's drying yet I know what's in it (as opposed to the commercial bore oils), and it's what the previous owner used.

Now, for the flaxseed question. My local grocers has flaxseed which also has vitamin E added (no big deal I know) but also a bit of rosemary extract. Has anyone used flaxseed with the rosemary extract added? Would that cause any problems. Or, like citrus oils, would it be fine for a wooden flute?

Also, feel free to post any opinions about various oils below...if it matters, the flute is my new to me rosewood Sweetheart flute.

Thanks,

Eric

[Henke]

I use Linseed, or sometimes the commercially available bore oil. But is Linseed the same as Flaxseed? Probably not, but I don't know.

[Bloomfield]

I use Linseed, or sometimes the commercially available bore oil. But is Linseed the same as Flaxseed? Probably not, but I don't know.

They're the same, I believe.

[Nanohedron]

Almond, raw linseed (flaxseed), camellia oils are all good. Whether any is best is probably a matter of opinion. I have to say that my dogwood stick was heavily treated with linseed oil, and I found the smell to be a bit off-putting. I don't care for commercial bore oil for the purely nonscientific reason that it's a petroleum product. Definitely not stout. That's alcohol abuse. A drop or two on your flute to keep it happy is OK, though.

[bang]

ran across this page on oils for bamboo a while back. the info seems applicable to wooden flutes generally. a fascinating site overall, with lots of interesting bits about flute acoustics:

http://www.navaching.com/shaku/oil.html

enjoy! /dan

[chas]

My almond oil has a little sandalwood essence in it for scent. I just received one of my flutes back from the maker, and he remarked on how well cared-for it looked. So no biggie on scented oils, I think.

BTW, I would vote for none of the above since I mix my almond 1:4 with extra light olive oil. I really don't find it a huge chore to oil the bore every month or two instead of every two or six. Boxwood flutes especially really sing right after they've been oiled.

I don't use linseed/flaxseed because it smells gross. (I wouldn't thing a little rosemary essence could possibly overpower it.) I want to feel like I'm playing a wooden flute when I'm playing a wooden flute. If it smells like linseed oil, I feel like I'm in painting class.

[Nanohedron]

Hey, I put a bit of sandalwood essence in my almond oil, too! Makes for a very enjoyable olfactory bonus when playing.

[tin tin]

Really interesting link, bang! So, based on the article, since my flute had a good linseed oiling when it was made (9 months ago), I theoretically don't need to oil it for years, other than for cosmetic reasons. This seems to fly in the face of conventional Irish-flute oiling practice...

[Loren]

Oiling is useless, I say Epoxy the bore and be done with it.

Loren

[Loren]

Better yet, line both the inside and outside with lead, that way it'll be safe from x-ray vision as well.

Loren

[Jayhawk]

Loren - have you been sanding crazy glue again or something?

BTW - I voted for stout myself. There are very few things that can't be solved by a pint of stout...and besides, I have no clue what's truly best.

Anyone try walnut oil? I like walnuts.

Eric

Edit: I do know the best method for applying stout is by:

1) Ingesting the stout during a session, and
2) Playing the flute.

[Loren]

Dude, I inhale so much toxic *#@* all day it's not funny: paint thinner, acetone, super glue fumes, contact cement, varnish, lacquer........ it's best not to trust a word I say.

However, at the shop we use a combination of linseed oil, turpentine and spar varnish, which is applied either topically, or under pressure, depending on the circumstances. Proceed at your own risk.

We actually do use other things to more or less permanently seal the bore of most instruments we make though, which would be in addition to the pressure oiling.

Loren

[David Levine]

Is oil used for bamboo appropriate for cocus or blackwood?
I'd rather oil once a month or so with almond oil. Almond oil doesn't have the possibliity of becoming gummy or hard -- re the bamboo flute oiling site. I add a bit of Vitamin E oil to retard spoilage, although almond oil last a long time before it gets rancid.
Most makers recommend almod oil. A few recommend bore oil, which I think makes the wooden flute dull over the years. Some say oiling is not necessary. I use the thin, pharmaceutical grade almond oil found in Ireland in pharmacies. If anybody wants some I'll be glad to send a small bottle for the cost of the oil and mailing. It's thin, unlike the food-grade almond oil available in health food stores, which is rather thick.

[glauber]

I use this commercial bore oil (clickme). I'm not convinced it does any good, but at least it doesn't smell like turpentine.

[talasiga]

....
Now, for the flaxseed question. My local grocers has flaxseed which also has vitamin E added (no big deal I know) but also a bit of rosemary extract.
....

Rosemary will ensure those who hear your playing will never forget it. It better me good!