[thushioli]

I use vegetable oil, probably canola.....keep in mind that linseed oil whcih is great for wood in very conbustible....no I'm not worried about your shinai bursting into flames althought that might be a interesting sight....take care in how you store the used oil cloth with linseed oil on it...if you keep a oil cloth store it in a sealed metal container....with high enough temptures linseed oil cloths can self combust.....bamboo shinai will dry and become more brittle...the oil is to help slow this process down to extend the life of the shinai and to help prevent cracking and splintering....I usually oil a shinai even before I use it for the first time....then with regular inspection look for drying and splintering on the sides of the shinai....trimming and sanding any splintered or rough edges and re-oiling the shinai....this not only extends the life of the shinai but is for the protection of training partners who are at risk from breaking of splintering shinai...