- Joined
- Jan 10, 2001
- Messages
- 2,618
is the only experience I've had with Nepali woodchuckery. I began with 0000 steel wool, and in the corners/curves/nooks and crannies, used stffly folded piece of 600-grit. I used a stiff toothbrush to get rid of the residue from the rubbing. MOST of it appeared to be rouge-like. I wouldn't really call it a stain, because it wasn't in the wood deeply, but it finally (emphasis on finally) came off. The first 3-4 coats of oil leached out some more (not as bad as the handle of the Chitlangi) and the oil finally locked in whatever was left. The color went from reddish-brown to a nice walnut brown - a very good carving wood with little grain and softer than Saatisal. I didn't oilit heavily (used Q-tips in the tight areas) and was very careful using toothpicks to rout out the rouge and residue from the wool and paper rubs - as I said, it appeared to be softer than Saatisal,and I've lifted chips from that, with a toothpick, when the oil hadn't set up and the wood was still soft. Like always, go slow. I'm tempted to think about the Murphy Oil Soap, but if you use it, go very softly when brushing and mopping up. Maybe a very soft toothbrush and cotton balls, and when the moisture is "sopped up", let it sit for X days until dry. Don't use water - just the soap - and it shouldn't dry to the point of any damage. I wish I'd used it on my scabbard, just to know how this particular wood will handle it.