Best finish for Wood Scales??

[timcsaw]

Hey... I'm working up a new set of scales with some inlay, and I'm hoping you all can help me out with some suggestion on final finish. In the past, I've use teak or tongue oil with a wax overcoat, but I'm not impressed by it's durability.

I'm looking for a final finish that is clear, provides a gloss look, is durable, and is easy for the user to maintain. I build these scales and install them on pre-manufactured blanks... I don't sell them, I give them to friends and family members. Since I am giving these to folks who are not knife/wood workers I want a finish that they can "refresh" as needed. I'd like a finish (as described above), that they can touch up, or re-apply themselves.

Most of my wood finishing experience is on larger pieces (furniture), which does NOT get the exposure to the elements, or hard use that these knife scales will see.

I have many such scales in the works, and I'm not sure of the best finish. I'm smart enough to know that I'm not smart enough to know what's best... so I'm coming to the experts (you all) for recommendations.

I have some work left to do on these... These are of Amboyna Burl with turquoise/Green Malachite stripes and mother of pearl inlays (the mother of pearl by the way, came from a collection of OLD BUTTONS I snagged at a yard sale... tons of raw material!! If you do inlay... hunt the yard sales!!:thumbup

What's the best way to finish???

Input greatly appreciated!:thumbup:

 

[rebeltf]

Those look great ! I use Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. You can find it at any reputable sporting goods or firearms store.
Directions are easy and the stuff just works the way it says on the bottle , no need for fancy schmancy.

Please post pics after your done.

 

[siguy]

dan koster gets a sort of low-gloss finish with paste wax and a buffing wheel:
http://www.kosterknives.com/handletutorial4.htm

i normally just use a danish oil on wood handles, but its not very high gloss.

you might have better luck in the shoptalk subforum where all the makers hang out...

 

[timcsaw]

Thanks all...

As suggested, I'm moving this to the shoptalk subforum;

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5765082#post5765082

 

[nozh2002]

I tried many and best is silicon-carnauba pipe polis from tobacco shop:

But first you need to polish it up to 2000 sandpaper.

Thanks, Vassili.