I haven’t had a chance to go to a store that might have Artist grade raw linseed oil, or Almond oil with vitamin E. But at home I do have a small bottle of vitamin E oil (says 100%) and I have a bottle of 100% Jojoba oil. Could I use either one of those? The E oil seems thick, whereas the other seems very thin.
I forgot to mention: Is it normal to have a blow ‘mark’ on the other side of the embouchure hole? I’ve adhered to only playing about an hour on my new Burns and noticed that there is a lighter ‘streak’ on the other side of the embouchure hole from playing. I’m guessing it’s normal but I just want to make sure.
I think a lot of people notice that the area that touches your chin will get a little lighter between oilings. The far part may be light where your breath condenses? Take a picture, 1000 words and all that.
As for oils, I don’t think I’d use either. Definitely not the vitamin E oil; I actually have no idea about jojoba oil.
I just googled jojoba, and ick, I don’t think I’d use it. “Jojoba oil is the closest match to human sebum secretions in the plant kingdom.” That makes me not really ever want to get near jojoba.
I’d go with the almond oil or a mixture of it and light olive oil, unless you really like the smell of linseed, which can be rather strong. I’ve used the 4-1 mixture of light olive to almond with a dash of vitamin E that is recommended by some makers, and it seems to treat the bore well.
Hi Tony: One should be able to pick up some almond oil in a Health food store (for example, those you find in a mall). Wal-mart has Vit E oil capsules. Some nice supermarkets likely have almond oil in their health-food sections. That’s where I had success.
Good luck!
MAry
I got Olive oil from an international food store. I’m not sure whether it has vitamin E though. I’ve been using this to oil my CB folk flute. I was wondering - what’s the Vit E for and how important is it to have it in the oil? I keep the oil in the fridge.
Also, how long should I wait after oiling before I can play the flute again?
The only purpose for Vit. E is as a preservative. If you keep it in the fridge that should be enough to prolong its life. That’s where I keep mine but I added Vit E only because I had some in the house. Broke a capsule and squeezed it in.
Playing soon after oiling is fine but oiling after playing is not. Drying out overnight then oiling and, soon thereafter, playing, is fine. I let mine stand on a dowel on end for an hour or so after oiling to let it drain down and not collect on one side. I rund a swab through then play. Sounds great.
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