I know this thread started with using oil to close up checks in old
woodies, but I fear that one might get the notion that this is a good
thing for all woodies.

I recently got a set of H&Rs from the MofA. These were all in primo
condition, no checks or cracks, but they definitely seemed very dry. I
was planning on giving them a good soaking with an oil finish, but first
asked Patrick's advice. He advised against this, said they've held up
fine for 150 years this way, so why do anything? He suggested at most
giving them a coat of paste wax.

I did the latter and I'm very glad I didn't do anything more. With the
wax they only get a little darker and they have a very nice feel. If the
wax dries out, it's trivial to put another coat on.

I love fiddling and fondling my old tools as much as the next galoot,
but sometimes restraint is the best course of action.

Carl