Caring for ebony scales?

A

Adam H.

Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
15
Hi all!

I've recently ordered a blade blank, along with some gabon ebony for the scales. I've read a bit about gabon ebony, but most sites are just trying to sell African artifacts or something and lack any real info about the wood. What I want to know is how to care for and possibly seal my ebony scales. I've heard lemon oil (alcohol free) works, but this doesn't seem like a permanent solution. Has anybody here had any experience with ebony? I'd appreciate being able to pick at your brains a little.

Thanks!
 
Ebony can be really great or really bad, if its not dried properly it will crack. I prefer to use a sealing finish such as boiled linseed oil. It may not penetrate as much but does make a surface seal. As you sand and shape add some oil especially overnight just to make sure you dont get cracks. Not to scare you but a friend bought a block which was sealed in wax, after cutting into scales it developed thousands of cracks, it was pretty amazing, the store took the wood back. Most scales are already dry so with some caution you should be good to go. I have a few handles in ebony and they are doing fine and have never cracked.
 
I don't seal ebony. But I do my standard maintenance treatment. Submerge the handle in mineral oil and give it an hour or so. Remove the knife and let it dry for a day or so, then buff. Mineral oil doesn't go rancid, and is food safe.
 
Yikes! I new it could crack, but not that easily! Would the stuff be safe to cut with handtools? I was planning to use a hacksaw with a fine-toothed blade. Also, would some kind of clear coat poly be alright?
 
Really black ebony looks like plastic under a glossy finish. Oil or wax it and cross your fingers.
 
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