As an avid gardener and DIYer, I often find myself needing to restore and maintain the wooden handles on my axes, shovels, rakes and other tools. While there are many options when it comes to choosing an oil to treat and protect wooden handles some stand out as better than others. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through the pros and cons of various wood oils and make recommendations for the best oil for wooden tool handles based on my experience.
Why Oil Wooden Handles?
Before diving into the types of oils, it’s important to understand why oiling wooden handles is so crucial in the first place Here are some of the key benefits
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Preservation – Wood handles will eventually crack splinter, and deteriorate without proper care. Oiling protects the wood from weather damage and general wear and tear.
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Improved grip – A nicely oiled handle feels smooth and comfortable in your hand. This prevents painful blisters from repeated use.
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Aesthetic appeal – A freshly oiled handle simply looks nicer than one covered in dirt and scratches. Oiling brings out the natural beauty of the wood grain.
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Safety – Proper maintenance prevents sudden breaks or cracks while using a potentially dangerous tool.
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Cost savings – Taking good care of your handles saves the cost of frequent replacements.
Factors to Consider
With a wide variety of wood handle oils on the market, it can get confusing to choose the right one. Here are the key factors I consider when selecting an oil:
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Drying time – Some oils dry quickly while others can take days. Faster is often better.
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Toxicity – Many oils use chemical drying agents. Non-toxic options are ideal.
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Durability – Does the oil stand up to outdoor weathering and frequent handling?
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Ease of application – Is the oil easy to spread smoothly across the wood?
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Texture – You want the handle to feel grippy but not gummy. The oil shouldn’t get sticky.
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Odor – Some have powerful smells you’ll notice for a while. Low odor is preferable.
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Cost – Prices range from a few dollars to over $20 per bottle.
With these criteria in mind, let’s look at some of the most popular wood handle oils.
Linseed Oil
Derived from the seeds of flax plants, linseed oil is by far the most common wood handle treatment. The major advantage is the low cost ─ you can pick up a bottle for around $10. Linseed oil penetrates deep into the wood grains to provide exceptional protection. It leaves behind a smooth, natural luster.
The downside is slow drying. Raw linseed oil can take weeks to fully cure. Most DIYers opt for boiled linseed oil, which contains metallic dryers to accelerate drying. However, some metallic dryers are toxic, so choose carefully.
Best for: DIYers looking for an very inexpensive oil that provides great protection.
Tung Oil
Made from the nut of the tung tree, this oil offers some unique benefits. Tung oil seals and finishes wood with a protective, water-resistant barrier. The natural polymers in tung oil allow it to cure into a hard, durable film. It leaves behind a soft, smooth finish.
Unlike linseed oil, tung oil doesn’t easily soak into the pores. Multiple thin coats must be applied. It’s also more expensive than linseed. However, a little goes a long way. Tung oil brings out a beautiful luster in wood.
Best for: Water resistance and a protective finish. Ideal for outdoor handles.
Walnut Oil
Pressed from walnut kernels, this oil is prized in cooking for its nutty flavor. But it also makes an excellent wood treatment. Walnut oil penetrates deep into wood pores to nourish and protect. It leaves behind an incredibly smooth, blemish-free surface.
The main drawback with walnut oil is the short drying time. Oxidation causes it to quickly polymerize into a gummy, sticky film. Frequent re-application is needed. It also has a strong odor during application.
Best for: A protective oil that leaves a glass-smooth finish.
Mineral Oil
A byproduct of petroleum distillation, mineral oil is common in cosmetics and laxatives. It also works as a wood finish, but has some disadvantages. The major problem is that mineral oil never dries or cures. It remains in an oily state on the wood surface. This causes a gummy feel and attracts dirt and debris over time.
Mineral oil does penetrate wood well and provides a luster. But the handle needs constant re-oiling and cleaning. For outdoor tool handles, mineral oil provides almost no protection from the elements.
Best for: Temporary indoor finishing of objects like cutting boards and countertops.
Hemp Oil
Pressed from the seeds and stalks of hemp plants, hemp oil has grown in popularity thanks to its eco-friendly credentials. It cures into a solid, protective film, though not quite as hardened as linseed or tung oil. Hemp oil penetration into wood pores is only moderate.
The benefit of hemp oil comes from the source material. As a sustainable crop requiring few pesticides, it offers an all-natural wood finish. It provides decent protection for low to moderate outdoor use. The odor during application is mild.
Best for: Eco-conscious consumers who want a “green” wood oil.
Beeswax Oil
A mixture of beeswax, linseed oil, and citrus solvents, this unique blend brings some special properties. The beeswax gives the oil a pleasant, mellow scent compared to the chemical smell of many products. It also provides water resistance equal to tung oil.
The downside is that beeswax can leave behind a tacky, sticky residue that attracts dirt. The wax also gums up sandpaper during later renovations. Like linseed oil, multiple coats are needed for full protection, so the finish takes time.
Best for: A nice scent and water protection. Not ideal for handling.
Boiled Linseed Oil vs Raw Linseed Oil
If you opt for traditional linseed oil, you’ll notice it comes in two forms ─ raw and boiled. The difference comes down to drying time. Raw linseed oil can take weeks or even months to fully cure. This incredibly slow dry time is the trade-off for its all-natural composition.
Boiled linseed oil uses metallic dryers to accelerate the drying process from weeks to hours. The metal salts catalyze the polymerization. But some metallic dryers contain toxic compounds like lead, manganese, and cobalt. Raw linseed oil avoids these.
I recommend trying raw linseed oil first. The long cure time isn’t an issue for wood handles that won’t get heavy use right away. Raw avoids potential toxins. If you need your handle oil to dry very quickly, seek out a boiled variety that clearly lists “non-toxic” on the label to avoid dangerous metals.
Applying Oil to a Wood Handle
Once you’ve selected an oil, application takes just a few easy steps:
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Lightly sand the bare wood with fine (220+) grit sandpaper to open the grain.
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Wipe away any dust with a dry cloth.
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Use a clean rag to massage oil over the entire handle surface until it absorbs. Let sit 10 minutes.
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Thoroughly wipe off any excess oil not absorbed by the wood.
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Allow to cure for at least 24 hours before light use.
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Repeat steps 3-5 for 2-3 coats and allow to fully cure for a week before heavy use.
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Re-oil periodically as needed when the wood looks dry.
The Best Oils for Wooden Tool Handles
So which oils come out on top for protecting and beautifying wooden tool handles? Here are my top picks:
Best Overall: Tung Oil
Tung oil is my go-to for the ideal balance of protection, ease of use, and attractive finish. Multiple thin coats soak in to seal and prevent moisture damage. The cured oil film is durable enough for outdoor handles. It leaves the wood feeling smooth, not sticky.
Best Budget: Boiled Linseed Oil
For those looking to save money, boiled linseed oil provides tremendous wood protection at a fraction of the cost of options like tung. It soaks in well and leaves a nice luster. Just research brands to avoid toxic dryers.
Best for Outdoors: Teak Oil
Similar to tung oil, teak oil provides superb water resistance once fully cured. The oil film stands up to sun, rain, snow, and other outdoor elements. It takes more coats than tung oil but is worth it for rugged yard tools.
Best All-Natural: Raw Linseed Oil
Pure raw linseed oil has no additives or chemicals ─ just simple oil pressed from flaxseed. It takes patience to cure fully, but provides long-lasting protection safely. Raw linseed oil is ideal for health-conscious consumers.
Best Eco-Friendly: Hemp Oil
For the most environmentally sustainable oil, hemp oil comes from renewable crops grown without chemicals. It’s biodegradable and non-toxic. Hemp oil gives decent protection for casual to moderate outdoor use.
Protect Your Handles with the Right Wood Oil
Regularly oiling your wooden tool handles is easy and makes a big difference in their longevity. While linseed oil may be the most ubiquitous, I encourage you to consider alternatives like tung, walnut, hemp, and teak oil as well. Apply a few thin coats of your chosen oil to restore old handles or protect new ones. With the proper care, you’ll be enjoying smoothly polished, crack-free handles for many seasons to come. Happy oiling!
Why Care for Your Wooden Tool Handles?
- Well tended handles last longer. This saves you money and time spent in the long run.
- Smooth, oiled handles feel great in your hands. Read: Less blisters.
- It is satisfying to care for our gear.
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Wooden tool handles are easy to neglect. In fact, I’ve never worked on or visited a farm or garden that didn’t have at least one tool handle that needed some TLC.
Thankfully, all it takes is 10-20 minutes with some basic gear and know-how. I’ll show you step by step how to care for wooden tool handles so that they last for years, feel great in your hands, and look pretty hanging in your shed.
First, let’s briefly talk about the why and when of handle care.
Why These Oils Are Best for Tool Handles
FAQ
What is the best oil for wood handles?
One of the most popular oils for treating wooden knife handles is mineral oil. This oil is non-toxic, food-safe, and affordable, making it a top choice for many kitchen knives. Mineral oil is a clear, odorless oil that won’t change the color of your wooden handle.
What kind of oil do you use for wooden handled garden tools?
Use boiled linseed oil. I use it on all my wooden handle tools.
How to make old wooden tool handles stronger?
Soak the eye end of the handle in boiled linseed oil overnight and many times it will swell the wood enough to tighten the handle up. Note that if the handle has a metal main wedge, it will probably NOT swell enough to tighten up. Do NOT EVER soak a handle in water to try to tighten it!