View Single Post
Unread 05-06-2021, 05:56 PM   #10
4 Scale
User
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 544
Thanks: 194
Thanked 490 Times in 251 Posts
Default

My own research on preserving Luger grips indicates strongly against the addition of hardening oils, which include 'nut'' oils like linseed and walnut oil. For wood objects that will be subject to hard use, there is, or was, a case to be made that hardening surface treatments at the start of service life help protect. However when the objective becomes preservation, hardening oils should be avoided.

This is long but pretty good. https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn.../coatings.html An excerpt:

"Another instance of a traditional material being inappropriate for finish care is linseed oil or other drying oils. Oils crosslink with age, which means that they are not easily removed, and under some circumstances may darken considerably. A finish undergoing a chemical reaction which turns it very dark and makes it difficult to remove, is a problem indeed."

Also see https://www.antiquetrader.com/furnit...th-linseed-oil

Luger grips are made of hardwood which is a very tough material. That grips can survive repeated hardening oil treatment or even more damaging substances does not mean those those substances are beneficial.
4 Scale is offline   Reply With Quote