Hi All,
Does anyone know whether this oil (supplied by Terry McGee with one of his flutes) is a hardening oil? I can’t seem to find the information anywhere on LeBlanc’s website.
Thanks.
Chris
I found this about LeBlanc:
3270 Bore Oil
Bor-Seal bore oil is a deep-penetrating oil designed to protect wood from drying and cracking, yet not be harmful to pads.
on the Musicians Friend web site. Hope it helps.
BillG
Thanks, this is the information I had been able to find too, but what I really like to know is whether the oil is one that hardens on longer exposure to air or not. And if it does, how long does it take?
I used the bore oil for a while but I came to dislike it. It seemed thicker than the almond oil you get in pharmacies in Ireland. I thought it sat on top rather than penetrated the wood. Kind of messy.
I much prefer the almond oil with a drop or two of vitamin E in the oil. I use the almond oil sparingly. A very little goes a long way.
The Leblanc stuff I have is pretty thin, and hasn’t seemed to build up at all on mopane or rosewood flutes or grenadilla clarinets. I have only been using it for a few years, so more time will tell.
Bought myself some Almond oil from Body Shop - sold as a base for aromatherapy? So it is probably “cosmetic” grade.
The LeBlanc Oil mentions having Petroleum based stuff in it, so I guess that means it is probably a non dreying mineral oil mixture. This would fit with the impression it leaves, that it does not build up over time.
I tried the Almond oil on my flute collection - it seems to soak in a bit better. Longer term application will hopefully show results.
Here’s a picture of oiling day at the Cracknell Flute farm:
(Hopefully I got the picture link right…)
I would stay away from petroleum based oils.
A good alternative to almond oil I found is Selma bore oil #2935.
It’s a nontoxic mineral based oil, all natural and I’ve been using it for years with no problems.
You just want a very little bit on and in the flute. Too much gunks things up. Put the oil on very sparingly.
Nice to read you again, David
I’m with Sylvester, Welcome Back! 
Err. David Levine that is!
You didn’t go anywhere did ya Jonathan?
Ya beat me to the follow-up on the previous post. 
Why exactly? I’d be interested to know as I’ve used woodwind bore oil a few times.