Best Handle Treatment

[dcgisme]

How would you guys best treat a new hickory axe handle? What is the best way to waterproof the wood, improve the tactile feel and best treat the wood in general? My thanks in advance for any insight you may share.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Sand any finish off and rub in a few layers of tung oil, which lasts a lot longer than linseed oil in rain, wet, etc. I use it on all my ax handles and wooden-handled knives.

 

[dcgisme]

How about Danish Oil? Anybody have any insight or luck with this treatment? I'm currently testing it on an older hatchet. And thanks again for any advice folks!

 

[Truelove]

I just did this with two 'hawk handles. I sanded them, put on a coat of Laurel Mt. Forge wood stain (walnut if you care) sanded once again, another coat of stain, and then used their PermaWax and buffed it with some cheese cloth. Didn't take much time and came out looking like I knew what I was doing, which is saying something.

Hope it helps.

Got the Stain and finish from Track of the wolf BTW.