Ballistol for wood finish

[Abilene]

I've refinished a few stocks and grips using Formby's Tung Oil and also Birchwood Casey's Tru-Oil with nice results.  I've had this Thunderer grip for some time, and as it isn't original to the gun, the fit to the gripframe wasn't great but it felt okay in the hand.  Then when the Uberti urethane finish got some chips in it I decided it was time to fit it to the gun and give it an oil finish.  I could tell that it had some interesting figuring in the wood.  Stripped the finish with Citristrip then sanded the edges to fit the gripframe.  Applied a couple coats of "Special Walnut" stain.  But then I noticed my Tung Oil was pretty dried out and when applied the wood looked good for about 5 seconds and then would look very dry.  Could not locate my Tru-Oil.  Hmm, had always heard that Ballistol was good for leather and wood and had rubbed it on wood that was already refinished, but had not used it as a primary oil for this application.  I could tell right away it was going to look very good.  Have about 20 coats on it now.  I think I will be using Ballistol more often for this.  By the way, this little gun is 44 Spcl, my favorite caliber 

[Shotgun Franklin]

According to the company, Ballistol was developed for the German Army as a universal do it all tool. The Army wanted a liquid that could be used for gun cleaning and lubrication, for preserving leather and wood and for First Aid, to be used on small cuts scrapes and abrasions. The developer was apparently very successful. I've used it on everything except my saddle and as it's time to clean and oil that I'll give it a try.

[Delmonico]

Canola oil works good also, it's great for knife handles that are used in the kitchen and get washed all the time. 

[Red Cent]

If yiu want to test this first, I don't blame you.

On a piece ready to finish, lighttly spray with Armorall . Quickly rub the excess off with your hand. Apply a dab of TruOil and rub in the wood as usual. The ArmorAll and the Truoil will react and firm up quickly. You can apply numerous coats in one day. Each coat is a thin coat but, nonetheless a coat. The walnut stocks I have refinished rhis way has the handrubbed look of hand rubbed fine furniture. You could eventually fill up the pores, but I really like the handrubbed look. I have done two or three stocks and I like the finish.

Another plus. When you are finished, spray a little ArmorAll on your hands, rub it in and wash.