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Dry Grenadilla DRINKS Oil Like A Sponge!

Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-19 21:07

Fact. It does - I see it happen right in front of my eyes.

If one YouTube video claims to debunk bore oil absorption by soaking a barrel in oil for a long period of time and then cutting it in half, then that's just one video and one barrel.

If the dry barrels and bores I see on a regular basis don't absorb bore oil like there's no tomorrow (raw linseed oil in my case as that's what I've used for aeons), then where is the oil going? I can tell you where it isn't going and that's evaporating - it's getting absorbed right into the wood itself as I'm constantly reoiling until the oil is visibly no longer absorbed.

I apply the oil to the sockets and the bore and leave the barrel standing upright, then flip it over sometime later on and then apply more oil to the dry spots and spread it all out to evenly coat the bore and sockets, then repeat the process until no further oil is absorbed into the wood and then wipe everything dry with a paper towel. Standing the barrel on a plastic bag will also prevent any oil running off will get absorbed by the surface you've set it on if that happens to be porous.

Don't believe everything you see in one video and go out into the wild and watch things happen for real. And I'll still be using raw linseed oil as I know that works well as do loads of other repairers and makers. Prove me wrong.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

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