Thread: Linseed Oil on Strops?

Has anyone used Linseed (is that the same as Flax?) oil as a strop conditioner? I got a tip that it can be used to treat leather. I've only ever used it on wood (cricket bats, actually). Anyone had any experience with it?

Linseed oil is flax oil, although the linseed oil you get from the hardware store has other chemical additives too. Boiled linseed oil will polymerize easily. This makes it turn into a hard, plastic-like substance. I think unboiled linseed oil also polymerizes, although much more slowly. This polymerization may make it unsuitable for use on a strop. I don't think I'd risk it on a good strop.

Thanks. Thought it sounded a bit strange. I'll stick to my dovo paste.

James.

How about scales?

Linseed oil is an excellent product for preserving wood, but I believe it needs to keep being applied over the life of the wood.

X

Yes, that's my experience - fairly regular re-application on wood.