On This Subject:
        Bernard Jones, compiler of early twentieth-century WW lore, has
this to say in the section of THE COMPLETE WOODWORKER on "care of tools"
(pp. 38-39):
        "The wooden parts of tools should be occasionally rubbed with
cotton waste or rag moistened with linseed oil, taking care not to leave
any superfluous oil on the surfaces, as it is liable to become sticky.  In
the case of new planes it is a good plan to soak them well with linseed oil
a short time before using, and then, by well rubbing the surfaces, a dull
finish is obtained, and by following this with an occasional rub, the
surfaces are kept clean and in good condition.  Some people oil a new plane
by removing the wedge and irons, stopping up the mouth on the face with
putty, and then filling the mouth with linsed oil, leaving it until the oil
exudes from the poores at the ends of the stock; it is allowed to dry, and
then polished with friction."
        In THE PRACTICAL WOODWORKER, pp. 55-56, there is a slight variation:
        "A plane should be 'oiled' before using; this makes it heavier,
lessens the friction, and thus makes the plane work easily.  A reasonably
heavy plane is better than a light one, as it works more solidly and does
not require so much pressing down on to the work.  If the plane, therefore,
has not been oiled, or is too light, it should be soaked in raw linseed oil
or other suitable oil until it is a suitable weight.  This is usually done
by suspending it in an oil tank.  If this in inconvenient the cutter and
wedge are taken out, the bottom of the mouth of the plane is stopped with
putty, and the mouth filled with oil.  After a few days the oil will have
soaked into the plane; add more oil until sufficient has been absorbed.
Planes are sometimes french polished, but this is not necessary."
        Note the mention of raw oil.  I think boiled would begin to cure
and stiffen before soaking in fully.
                Tom Holloway