Wooden tool handles are a staple for any serious gardener or homesteader. A quality handle made from strong hardwood can last for decades with proper care. But neglect your handles, and they’ll quickly splinter, crack, and break under regular use.
One of the best ways to care for and preserve your wooden handles is to regularly oil them. But with so many oil options out there, how do you choose? What’s the best oil for wooden tool handles?
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to choose the ideal wood oil to protect your valuable handles.
Why Oil Wooden Handles?
Oiling wooden handles provides three key benefits:
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Preservation – Oil seals the wood grain to prevent moisture loss and subsequent cracking/splitting This preserves the handle’s strength and extends its lifetime
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Protection – The oil finish protects the wood from UV damage, dirt/grime penetration and general wear and tear.
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Lubrication – An oiled handle has less surface friction, preventing blisters and making your tools more comfortable to use.
Oiling just twice per year will keep your handles looking and feeling great for years to come.
What to Look for in a Wood Oil
With an endless array of oils on the market, it can be tricky to select the best one for your tool handles. Here are the key factors to consider:
1. Penetrating Ability
The oil needs to soak deep into the wood grain to provide effective sealing and preservation. Look for oils marketed specifically for wood or timber. These “drying oils” are formulated to penetrate deep into porous materials.
2. Durability
Once cured, the oil should provide a durable, long-lasting finish. It must stand up to regular heavy use and exposure to sun, rain, dirt, grime, etc.
3. Non-Toxicity
Any oil you handle extensively should be food-safe and non-toxic. Avoid oils with heavy metal driers or petroleum distillates.
4. Ease of Application
The oil should be simple to apply without heavy prep or cleanup. Oils that require extensive surface sanding/prepping or multiple coats are too cumbersome for routine handle maintenance.
Best Oils for Wooden Handles
Based on the criteria above, here are my top picks for the best wood oils to use on tool handles:
1. Boiled Linseed Oil
Boiled linseed oil is by far the most popular and time-tested choice for tool handles. Derived from flax seeds, it penetrates deep into wood grain to protect against cracks and splits. It dries fully to a smooth, durable finish that’s easy to renew.
Benefits:
- Time-tested on tool handles for centuries
- Deep penetrating ability
- Durable finish resists water, UV, and wear
- Easy application with no heavy prep needed
- Non-toxic and food safe when dry
Be sure to use a food-safe boiled linseed oil without chemical dryers. This Tried & True brand is a great option.
2. Tung Oil
Pressed from the nut of the tung tree, tung oil offers good penetration and water resistance. It leaves a smooth, non-sticky finish when fully cured.
Benefits:
- Excellent moisture/water resistance
- Deep penetrating ability
- Durable and abrasion-resistant finish
- Leaves no surface tackiness when cured
- Food safe and non-toxic when dry
This Real Milk Paint brand is a good pure tung oil option.
3. Danish Oil
Danish oils provide a balance of protection, penetration, and ease of application. The typical mixture contains 1/3 varnish, 1/3 polyurethane, 1/3 oil (usually tung or linseed).
Benefits:
- Good penetration from oil content
- Added protection from varnish/polyurethane
- Easy wipe-on application with no prep needed
- Fast drying time
- Non-toxic when fully cured
This Watco brand Danish Oil is very popular for tool handles.
Application Tips
Apply your oil of choice using these tips:
- Wipe off any dirt, grime, or existing finish from the handle
- Use fine (220+) sandpaper to scuff the surface if needed
- Apply a thin coat of oil with a clean cloth
- Allow at least 24 hours of cure time
- Buff off any residual oil after curing, reapply annually or as needed
Safety Note: Use gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Avoid open flames or sparks during application and curing.
Caring for Your Handles
Your handles need more than just oil. Here are some other care tips:
- Inspect handles before each use for cracks or damage
- Sharpen any dull edges on striking/impact tools
- Replace severely damaged handles for safety
- Smooth rough handles with fine sandpaper
- Clean handles periodically with mild soap and water
- Re-apply oil whenever handles feel dry, show wear, or annually
With proper care, your wooden handles will deliver years of faithful service. Follow this guide to choose the best oil to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Why Care for Your Wooden Tool Handles?
- Well tended handles last longer. In the long run, this will save you money and time.
- Smooth, oiled handles feel great in your hands. Read: Less blisters.
- It is satisfying to care for our gear.
Step 1 (Optional) – Clean
A dirty handle will make step 2 more difficult. So, if your trusty shovel has a lot of dirt on it, wipe it down quickly with water and a stiff brush.
Why These Oils Are Best for Tool Handles
FAQ
What is the best oil for wood handles?
What kind of oil to use on wooden knife handles?
What oil to use on an axe handle?
Is olive oil good for wood handles?
Should you use linseed oil to protect wooden tool handles?
If you plan on leaving wooden tool handles outside year-round or throughout the gardening season, consider using Outdoor Defense Oil. Made with pine oil, zinc and 100% Pure Tung Oil, Outdoor Defense Oil helps keep handles for tools smooth and well-protected without all the complications of boiled linseed oil.
What is the best oil for a wooden tool handle?
Oil helps to preserve and beautify your wooden handle. Linseed oil, from flax seed, is a great choice for garden tool handles. It is readily available, non-toxic (see side note below), and protects your wooden handle without feeling gummy, as something like mineral oil would. Application is straightforward:
Which linseed oil should I use on my garden tools?
Over the years, we’ve tried many types of oil on my garden tools. Here are our current recommendations. Boiled linseed oil penetrates and moisturizes wooden tool handles. It also hardens somewhat to form a protective barrier. Most boiled linseed oil has chemical drying agents added.
How do you clean a wooden tool handle?
Simply take a paper towel and wipe the handle to remove any dirt or dust, then apply a thin layer of linseed oil and let it dry. Aside from oiling your wooden handles, try not to leave your tools laying outside and keep them out of the dirt. The better you treat it, the longer it will last.
What kind of oil do you use to treat wood?
For years, people have been treating wood with drying oils such as tung, hemp, walnut, teak, and linseed oil. Whether it’s for the handle of a tool or furniture, these are great options. The important part is that the oil hardens – a process known as polymerization.
What oil do you use to finish axe handles?
The most common oil used for finishing axe handles is boiled linseed oil . It’s cheap and available everywhere. Some people prefer to use raw linseed oil which does provide about the same protection but takes longer to dry. As well it can attract mildew because, unlike BLO, there are no chemicals added to prevent mildew growth.