Hello all!

I am having trouble finding a boiled linseed oil without toxic ingredients. I know that some have said that once things are dry, you are not exposed to anything. However, as a matter or personal preference, I’d like to find something inherently safe.

I have been using store-bought boiled linseed oil on my axe handles, but I'd rather change to something that does not have the toxic ingredients they use for drying agents (heavy metals, etc). The issue is that I need something that performs as, or better than what I have been using, but it still has to be linseed oil. I use these axes for hard, backcountry use, so I need the oil to penetrate well into the wood, dry in a reasonable time, and create layers of hard, durable coating that I can add to regularly over the lifetime of the axe handle.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a boiled linseed oil (as in, not actually boiled, but with safe drying agents)?

Thank you for your help!

Made this saw bench from old barn wood. Used all hand tools except drilling the dowel holes (because I need to get a 1/2" auger bit for my brace).

So I finally got a hold of a big spruce log, big enough to make a solid cutting board. But how do I go about it to not make it crack or bend during drying? Should I dry the whole log for years? Should I dry a large piece? Or should a make a big cutting board and just hope for the best while it dries? All tips greatly appreciated.

For those of you from other subreddits, you may be wondering- what purpose does this serve that isn't fulfilled from other subreddits?

After all, /r/woodworking doesn't care if you made something with hand tools or power tools. There's plenty of love there for those of us who prefer working with our hands.

Basically I'd like for this to be a cross between /r/homestead, /r/Bushcraft, and /r/ArtisanVideos.

Woodworkers who are interested in harvesting their own wood, and making things primarily using hand tools.

I'll post a few links to get things started, then hopefully others will get involved with posting content, questions, etc.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope I get to hear from you again!