Crystal coat

[Walt2]

Have any of you ever tried a product called Crystal Coat on knife handles? This is supposed to be used on furniture as a finish coat and also on pens made from different kinds of wood. I had a fellow tell me he really likes it and the way it holds up.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I think the reason no one has replied is that in general, you don't want a layer of something over the handle wood. You want it IN the wood. The wood will take a shine when sanded very smooth and buffed that way. Penetrating finishes are the product for that.

I use HUT crystal coat on turnings and some other things. It is a good product for what it is designed for, but not really good for knife handles. It is a friction polish, and needs pressure and heat build up to make the shellac and waxes form a shell. Rubbing buy hand really doesn't do it well, and I find wheel buffing does not work well with it either. Personally, I don't want a knife to look like it has a coating of clear plastic on it.

 

[Walt2]

Thanks Stacy