Bob, Ron, I wonder if the black look is a result of soot. The heating was coal,
wood, or peat. The lighting was oil, gas, or candles and I would guess that soot
was everywhere, sticking to the tallow and slowly being absorbed into the wood.
I have a number of wooden planes that look almost as if they were scorched in
places but it is usually only on one side or top as if they were lined up on a
shelf and the "scorched" looking parts were exposed to dust or soot falling on
them. Fun to speculate about why things look like they look.
 How does one go about getting a suitable amount of tallow?
 
Regards,
Marty


________________________________
 From: Bob Miller 
To: Martin Reser  
Cc: "oldtools@r..."  
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 12:50 PM
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Re: wax or oil
 


On Thu, Apr 17, 2014 at 12:59 PM, Martin Reser  wrote:

Ron, Does the tallow smell? What is it's consistency like, heavy grease? Does it
get sloppy in warm weather? Inquiring Galoots want to know.
>

 I also use tallow so I figure I can field this.  The tallow does have a subtle
smell but not one that is objectionable.  Kind of like how you can smell linseed
oil but it is not bad.  Nothing like cooking hide glue.  I like the smell and so
does my cat.

The consistency is sort of a thick paste or thick greece.  Not runny at all and
it will form stiff peaks.  My basement only gets into the mid 70s in the summer
so I have no idea what it does at higher temperatures.  Even if it did turn oily
it would just make applying it no different than any oil lube.

Something to note that I have yet to experience is the dark black marks on many
older wooden planes, especially british origin, are from tallow that has
darkened over the ages.  I believe I learned this on an episode of Woodwright's
Shop so I figure St. Roy knows his historical stuff so it is probably true.  I
love the look but unfortunately my planes have not picked it up at all.

Bob