On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 08:26:20 -0400, "VibraJet"
wrote:

Got in an old reel, and it was loaded up with silk line. The line is
definately silk, and in good condition. It is not tapered. It has a memory
from being tightly wound towards the spool, so part of it is a fairly curly.

I was thinking:

Soak the line for an hour in a mild TSP solution

You might try baking soda (like "Arm and Hammer" in the US) and water,
and a shorter soak time...YMMV.

Wipe down with a coarse cotton cloth

Hang from the shop ceiling joists to dry

Loosely coil away from heat or sunlight, don't hang it. A
copier/printer paper box (the 10-ream size) with a clean dish/tea towel
in the bottom makes a good "drying box."

Treat the line with a dilute tung / boiled linseed oil mixture


Question? - Should I stretch the line while drying?

No.

I have plenty of room to stretch the whole line out.
How taught should it be?

See above.

Is there a modern alternative to mucilin?

Designer mucilin?

Any silk line reconditioning tips appreciated.

Well, the other answers I saw seemed to provide good info, and the
comment about the line perhaps not providing the greatest of tests
should be considered. Silk lines aren't all THAT much trouble, IMO, but
"trouble" covers some pretty subjective areas. IMO, you've got it, are
apparently willing to put some effort into saving and using it (good for
you), and IMO, even if it ain't the greatest, it will be, at the
minimum, an enjoyable learning experience - good luck with it.

TC,
R