Hi all, I'm new to the chainsaw carving world and have a question to pose; is it better to soak a piece with linseed oil based preservative before or after staining? Does it even matter since both are oil based? Also, should you let a wet piece dry out a bit before soaking with oil? I'm experimenting with many variations but your experience would be helpful. Thanks and please check out my website (jayraycarves.com). I'm open for any and all pointers. Looking forward to seeing my first chainsaw carving show/contest in Hackensack, MN on 9/26/09!

Just curious, but why don't you just use colored deck finish / wood preservative and call it done!
The drier the wood the better the penetration.....The drier it gets the more it cracks! Your call
my friend.

Jay, let your wood dry enough to get spiderweb cracks. As mentioned, nothing penetrates wet wood. I'd put wood conditioner on it if it's a soft wood, and stain before using linseed oil.
Boiled linseed oil does dry and harden, and your stain coat may not sink in very well if you put a lot of linseed on. I have to say I've done it though.

Having experimented, I now use log oil stains and that's it. No spar, nothing else on top, unless I need black.