As an aside, my grandfather restored several turn-of-the-century steam automobiles back in the 60's. I remember him keeping a small saucepan full of linseed oil simmering on a hot plate (talk about a fire hazard!) with various walnut brake lever handles, tiller handles and other oddments suspended in it. After a couple of days of this he would set them aside to dry and then polish them on a soft muslin wheel. This method of ebonizing produced some stunning results.