Boiled Linseed Oil...Why I Hate It!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Boy.....there must be sore toes all across the U.S. by now just because I pointed out a few faults of certain finish I dislike.

Sorry! I never said that Polyurethane was the "end all" of finishes. I never even said it was completely safe. The purpose of my post was to encourage carvers to take a broader look at whats out there other than to rely on something thats been in use since the dark ages.

In reading through all the posts on this thread I can see that some have become a little more aware of something they never really thought much about. That's great! On the other side of this equation there are others that are completely satisfied with what they apply to their work and that's great too! As I said at the end of my post, what you put on your pieces is up to you. If I get the chance to see your work I'll no doubt admire your efforts whether they're cover with BLO or POLY. However, way down deep inside my feeble mind, way back there in that dark fold of brain matter, there's a little voice that says "that piece finished in POLY really does look a little better!"

[Just Carving]

So, I guess it's gonna be the POLY's agin the BLO's, eh?

LET'S GET READY TO RUMMM--BULLLLLLL!Cowboy Matrix

[Mitchell]

I use BLO. I am not "married" to it however.

Lynn (and others) doesn't like it and there's not a problem with that.

I really like that we have a way to discuss what we each like and dislike and can learn from each other based on our different experiences.

[Bartster]

ok folks,

here is another method of finishing carvings. i have used and still do when the spirit moves me is to use
min-wax #209 natural stain mixed with some burnt seinna oil paint to make the basswood look like pine. it can be used after the carving has been washed and dried as a pre coat before adding thin washes of acrylics,or it may be used after the peice has been painted and allowed to dry as an antiquing it brings out the paint just like blo. when i use this i usually follow with a coat of howards feed and wax.as a matter of fact i use it when i i use the blo also.

bart

[Irish]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

Boy.....there must be sore toes all across the U.S. by now just because I pointed out a few faults of certain finish I dislike. "

Sore toes ... no way! After reading someone's postings a while back (sorry I can't name the poster but I sure remember the thread) about having accidentally dropped their knife while carving barefoot I now, always, wear steel toed boots around the studio

Susan

[Kenny_S]

Sore toes? Only after standing several hours. HEHEHEHE.
Nah Lynn, Healthy discussion or cussing never hurt anyone. Well, not here, Like the difference of opinions here. Be a dull world if we all thought the same eh?
Best to you.

[Anthony Filetti]

...no sore toes here either, ya can't learn anything if you do not have differing opinions...

... as for finishing techniques I am considering learning more about watercolors, just to have another technique under my belt...

[Kenny_S]

Understandable Tony, I have tired watercolor pencils on several. Now that take a little getting use to for sure.