Josh

What is also important to remember if setting up to oil finish is to apply only one application of oil to the chequering panels, too much oil build up here will clog the chequering, especially once it goes tacky, better to leave the chequering area until the last and add only a small amount of linseed oil, preferably on an old toothbrush and thouroughly work it into the exposed wood, you can always add a little more to this area should the need arise later on due to wear or the effects of weather.

I have seen more than a few guns and rifles where the original lacquer or varninsh finish had been stripped off by the owner and an oil finish applied, the results were in general fairly, good save for an excess of the same stock oil having been aplied to the chequering, in one case with an old tooth brush, once this happens it is impossible to either "palm in the oil or burnish it with powdered pummice or rottenstone, so the drying agent just causes the oil to congeal and clog the chequering.

Many English makers make up their own stock oils, usually to a time honoured trade recipie, some will not even give this away. The basic contents however are linseed oil, alkanet root oil, and a drying agent of some form.

That stock blank you have is a beauty, what is the timescale for completion?

Regards

Jonathan