Oil on wooden flutes, questions and concerns.

Hello all, few questions about oiling flutes.
I know that long term oiling of wood, talking six months or more, can allow the oil to soak into the wood and make it pretty impervious to the elements. This is a technique used with some practice weapons for martial arts, and I will admit I am fond of it. I would be curious what effects this would have on a flute, and perhaps in the future might do so to another flute or talk with same maker about doing for me.. With our wooden flutes, We obviously can’t soak them for quite that long or We’d never get to play them. I don’t exactly have a visual indicator of oiling my flute, so I need to feel to see if the wood is slippery. Is it possible to overoil a flute and what might the effects be? Thus far I am following the oiling instructions from the maker, usually leaving the oil to soak in overnight cause it is a new flute. I haven’t yet taken a Q-tip and oiled the holes themselves, though I might start making this part of the oiling rutine. Any advice or tips and thoughts here? I’m just trying to get into good practice so I can keep and maintain my first wooden flute. I oil both the inside and outside of the flute, making s

Don’t know why full post got cut off,
Making sure not to get oil on the cork. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks for any advice.

When I visited the folks up at Windward flutes they had placed their unfinished flutes into an oil bath. Can’t remember how long it was, few hours or a couple of days but I recall it was different mix than the bore oil that comes with the flute. In any case, it was to season the flute if I recall. However, once that process was done, they told me NOT to use bore oil on the outside of the flute. I’ll have to ask again why this is the case, but I do know I tend to use leftover bore oil on the outside of my flute just because the rag might get a few splotches here and there.

I do know Blayne Chastain does oil both the inside and outside of his in this tutorial.

https://youtu.be/JL5KWcDMMBA

play video

Not sure if there is anything detrimental to over-oiling a flute, aside for maybe a build up in gunk. So far I’ve not had this issue, but someone more knowledgeable can chime in. I usually do it once a month as I find I play very often and the flute starts sounding “dull” after that period and oiling it brings it back to life, so to speak.

Cheers,

Melany

Thanks for the info!

Oiling flutes has 2 objectives; to slow down water absorption, and to slow down water loss. Its all about hydration, much like keeping cigars .
I use the bore doctors natural blend or just sweet almond with a touch of vit C ( open a capsule)

I think the risk of over-oiling depends on the oil. Bore oil and almond oil don’t set so can always be wiped off. Linseed oil (a.k.a. flax oil) goes sticky then hardens so can build up into a mess.

I think the maker of my flute has said he uses linseed oil once before shipping but then recommends bore oil or almond oil.

I don’t worry about putting too much almond oil on my keyless flute. After leaving it overnight wiping with a cloth, a couple of passes inside with cloth and twiddling a cotton bud in the holes removes what doesn’t soak in. I find almond oil left on leaves a nutty smell that can be unpleasant - another wipe off with a dry cloth and a wipe over with a damp one on the outside fixes that.

I think Will means vitamin E (which is an oil soluble antioxidant) not C (which isn’t). I also keep the bottle in the dark in the fridge and it has never gone rancid.

Ah, ok. I’m just using the bore oil from a local music shop ATM. Playing every day, just working to transfer over everything from whistle to flute, and then to sit and learn some ones by ear. Also running through octave exercises cause the second octave isn’t quite where I’d like it to be yet in terms of tone and actually hitting it right each time. If I’m playing every day moisture absorbsion should be OK. Humidity here seems fine for flute, inside case usually around 50ish I think.

You cant over oil a flute. The wood will only absorb so much. The rest will stay on the surface, either inner or outer. Or both.