Interesting comments.
As I said, I've used a few oils (usually flavour of the month on this list)
over the past 38 years (since I got my set of pipes) and almond oil was
always my favourite followed by pure lavender oil (both medicinal quality)
although the latter resulted in some odd looks when I opened the case. I had
no problems with either but used the almond oil for at least 25 years
without any problems at all.
As the years passed and ill-health made playing more difficult and therefore
not as regular, I started having the problem of the (leather) pads sticking
to the chanter when pressing the keys . The keys lifted, the pads stayed
stuck to the chanter. I needed an alternative to almond oil.
Using the liquid paraffin, I found that, even after a few months in the box
untouched, the pads no longer stick and the pipes still glisten nicely.
My pipes are lignum which may make a difference.
Neatsfoot oil seemed to form a crust around the edges of the keys quite
quickly (as it does around the neck of an opened bottle of the same when it
dries out).
I suppose that nothing will give perfect results if regular maintenance of
the set isn't carried out.
Maybe the answer lies in how often the set is played/maintained as suggested
by others rather than a simple "which oil is best".
Colin Hill
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