BLO.....Why I STILL Hate It!

Lynn O. Doughty · #1 12-16-2006, 09:45 AM

The wife and I drove over to Branson yesterday to see the lights of Silver Dollar City and to check out the competition in the Woodcarving Building and to also go downtown and see what's happening at Pete Engler's place. First SDC....

I remember going there years ago when it was more orientated to the crafts of the Ozarks than the thrill rides of today. The Woodcarving display was really something to see then. There were no woodcarvers even present yesterday and, besides Gerald Sears' work, the carvings were really not that inspiring. Lots of resin castings. Like a lot of things, plastic is taking over even the woodcarving craft. A real shame.

At Englers shop we saw a number of really nice pieces. Unfortunately, a number of them had been soaked in that disgusting tree effluent known as BLO. Yechhh! If anyone still using that stuff could come back 5, 10, 25 years later to see what their carving looks like now they would immediately haul what BLO they had left on hand down to the nearest recycling or disposal center. Double-Yechhh!

Would you buy a carving that looks more plastic than wood because the BLO has turned it transparent? Of course not! Would you buy a carving that has a chaulky appearance because the BLO applied years earlier has crystalized into a white powder? No way! Maybe that's what these carvings remain on the store's shelves and not on someone's display shelf. I'm sorry but there is no way I'll ever be convinced that applying that thick, yellowish sap to a woodcarving is a good thing. Save it for the tool handles.

Kenny_S · #2 12-16-2006, 09:59 AM

Beating around the bush again eh Lynn?

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 12-16-2006, 10:11 AM

and besides.....it stinks LOL

Mark Gargac · #4 12-16-2006, 10:14 AM

Hey Lynn, how about sealing the carving in lacquer after applying the BLO, doing this theres no way dust or other contaminates can disturb it! it's virtually waterproof, and you can still have the beautiful, deep, soft overtones in the colors, or leave the carving unfinished to enhance the grain of the wood that the BLO brings out. I have been using BLO/lacquer on my carvings for 9 years now, and I still have the first walking stick that I carve.....BLO/lacquer is the only finished applied, and the piece looks the same now from the day I finished it.

chipper67 · #5 12-16-2006, 11:29 AM

I've been reading this thread about BLO and it has kind of got me worried. I've been mainly using boiled linseed oil with a bit of oil paint as a finish on most of my carvings the past 4 years. I guess I was just following what many of the professional carvers (Bishops, Shipley, etc.) used and still use on their carvings. (I wonder if any of their original carvings show any yellowing too). I do understand that it mainly boils down to a personal preference just like what is your favorite palm tool. But, I very much respect Lynn's opinion too. So, at this point I am just kind of confused about using BLO or not. I have to admit part of the reason I used the BLO/oil paint mixture is of how quick it is to just dip the carving in it and paper towel it and let dry.

Mark, you had a good point about using a lacquer over the BLO. I'm just curious as to what specific lacquer do you use if you don't mind me asking?

Chipper67

Kenny_S · #6 12-16-2006, 12:16 PM

Use it Chipper. Lynn doesn't like it . That is his right. BLO has been used for generation and still looks great. I have several carvings from Carvers that have used BLO, one that is at least 10 years old and no different than when I first received it. I agree, I value Lynn's aopinion but then again, That is his. I just started using BLO with a lacquer sealing it. The only thing I dislike is the smell.
If it still works for you, then I see no reason stopping it. Just like opinions on what to carve with and how. Many different styles and variations.
Just my Humble opinion. I will use what works for me but do listen to what others think. Some time though the opinions are to start a thread rolling. Personally, I don't think we need to rehash the use or not to use BLO again and again.
Again, JMHO!

Lynn O. Doughty · #7 12-16-2006, 12:48 PM

Kenny's right. It's just MY opinion. And, finishing up with a coat of Lacquer might be the secret to a BLO finish. I'll take Mark's word for that. Also, I will agree that when it's first put on BLO does look pretty good. But as a final finish I would strongly recommend a more traditional product for finishing wood. Granted, BLO has been around probably since the dark ages but, hopefully, we've become a little more enlightened since then.

I was just reading through H.S. "Andy" Anderson's book on Caricature carving published back in 1953. Although he passed away long ago I'll always consider him the King of western caricature hands down. A little crude by today's standards but he was the trailblazer who laid out the path that the rest of us follow. Anyway, in his book under the chapter dealing with painting, he explains that the best thinning agent for paint is "gasoline" followed by paint thinner, turpentine, etc. Now as much as I respect Andy I would not follow his advice and try mixing any paint with gasoline. The same goes for BLO. Just because some noted carvers might use it doesn't necessarily mean it's the best thing out there for finishing your carvings.

I think that what we should all look for is something that we can apply to our carvings that we KNOW will look good years down the road. I want my Grandkids, my Great Grandkids, maybe even my Great, Great Grandkids to be able to look at my carvings and say...."Wow!" I don't want them to say ..."Wow, he was a good carver but he didn't know beans about applying a proper finish!"

xsailer · #8 12-16-2006, 12:48 PM

You go Kenny.

Kenny_S · #9 12-16-2006, 01:22 PM

Lynn, I believe it is a learning process we go through on finding what works for each individual. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.
One thing I have learned is paste floor wax does gather dust. No matter how many times you buff it.

Merry Christmas to all.

Mark Gargac · #10 12-16-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipper67

I've been reading this thread about BLO and it has kind of got me worried. I've been mainly using boiled linseed oil with a bit of oil paint as a finish on most of my carvings the past 4 years. I guess I was just following what many of the professional carvers (Bishops, Shipley, etc.) used and still use on their carvings. (I wonder if any of their original carvings show any yellowing too). I do understand that it mainly boils down to a personal preference just like what is your favorite palm tool. But, I very much respect Lynn's opinion too. So, at this point I am just kind of confused about using BLO or not. I have to admit part of the reason I used the BLO/oil paint mixture is of how quick it is to just dip the carving in it and paper towel it and let dry.

Mark, you had a good point about using a lacquer over the BLO. I'm just curious as to what specific lacquer do you use if you don't mind me asking?

Chipper67

Chipper67, I use a brand called ,(*Deft), this is a clear wood finish, Satin, in a aerosol spray. You can find this product at home depot or Lowe's for under $5.00 a can.