African Blackwood: CA finish or not?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
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I am finishing a knife with an african blackwood handle. As dense as this wood is and even at a very high grit and buffing, you can still see some of the wood veins. I am thinking about doing a Cyanoacrylate aka Superglue finish. Never tried it before but this might be the right time. Good or bad idea?
 
I wouldn't. After all, its wood. It should look like wood.
 
It also has high oil content, I would think that might affect the long term viability of a CA finish.
 
I would recommend against it.

African Blackwood makes a fine handle as is.

Just polish it nicely and leave it be.



Big Mike
 
Patrice,

Of course you can use a hard finish on blackwood but it isn't necessary to protect the wood. The only reason that I can think of to do so is to get a high gloss finish. Blackwood is full of natural waxes which when buffed will give you a very nice soft satin finish. If after buffing you want more of a gloss finish then by all means add one.

Gary
 
If the wood shows some open grain, just buff in a hard wax ( Brix, carnuba, etc.). Then polish .
 
I take blackwood to 2500 handsand then buff and it usually looks like black glass. If you want a sating finish, leave it at 1k hand sand, but i love to buff it...such a beautiful wood.
 
A finely sanded finish is the friend of blackwood. Heat in sanding or buffing is the enemy.
 
Thanks for your input. I think that I will follow your advice and leave it be. Well maybe just take it to a higher grit like Mike said but that's it.
What woul I do without you guys. :thumbup:
 
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