In search of pure Indian sandalwood oil that is reasonable

[kai]

Here's Alan's recipe: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...33&postcount=8

Originally Posted by Alan

The blades of my keris are oiled with a keris oil that is made of 50% medicinal parrafin, 45% sandalwood oil, and 5% kenanga oil.

From keris I received from him, I guess that Alan's sandalwood oil is the diluted version; with my mix, I'm closer to 5% sandalwood essential oil. This may also be personal preference: After looking at a few blades, I don't want the house to smell like an old lady using too much perfume...

If used at all, I'd suggest adding kenanga (or any other add-ons) drop by drop until the final odour is pleasant.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Some more threads to check out:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5041
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5570
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6067
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18998
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24952

BTW, the (advanced) search function (of the forum or via your preferred search engine) is your friend!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Another quote from Alan on the synthetic sandalwood oils he has been using: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...3&postcount=21

Originally Posted by Alan

All this talk of incredibly expensive essential oils makes me a little bit embarrassed.

Makes me feel like a bit of peasant --- or even worse:- an outright cheapskate.

For 30 or 40 years I've used European produced sandalwood --- undoubtedly synthetic --- that I have bought in bulk from sellers of essential oils in Solo, Jawa. What I have been using since I began using the Javanese scented oil approach is exactly the same as everybody I have ever known involved with keris in Solo uses.

The raw materials are not collected from mystical 500 year old trees standing on top of haunted mountains.

Sure, its not distilled in gold pots over a slow fire of ebony wood.

Its not conjured over by wizards who use secret methods handed down from ancient kings.

Its not stored in crystal cylinders suspended by gold cords in sub terranian chambers.

But it is cheap, and it smells OK.

I used to buy "Sandescan" by Schimmel & Co. a German firm.

My current bottles bear the brand:- H&R = Haarmann & Reimer, another German firm.This oil is labelled "Sandescone"

I think H&R were taken over by Symrise AG a couple of years ago. This is another German firm.

I buy by the kilo, not by the gram, and I have never paid anything like the prices you other gentlemen are paying.

If we only have a few keris to anoint from time to time, I guess the gilt-edged approach is not too expensive, but if we need to look after a lot of keris, these cunningly hand crafted oils are just too expensive

[David]

Hey folks. Sorry, but i need to remind everyone for this discussion that commercial posts are not permitted. That means links to sales site. While i do understand that everyone is looking for reasonably priced sandalwood, you must contact people in PM if you want to share direct links to sale sites.
I would also point out that Indian sandalwood is a vulnerable, if not endangered species. Something to consider when choosing the scents for our keris oil.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by David

Hey folks. Sorry, but i need to remind everyone for this discussion that commercial posts are not permitted. That means links to sales site. While i do understand that everyone is looking for reasonably priced sandalwood, you must contact people in PM if you want to share direct links to sale sites.
I would also point out that Indian sandalwood is a venerable, if not endangered species. Something to consider when choosing the scents for our keri oil.

noted with thanks