Curly Maple Hawk handles

W

wademc

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
24
Hey Guys, how do you finish a curly maple hawk handle so that the stripes really show up ? do you put a sealer on afterward ?

Wade
 
Grab some Chromium Trioxide from Dixie Gun Works and follow the directions. Boiled Linseed Oil finish with a hard wax topcoat is a great finish.
RMJ
 
Ive tried them all and I greatly prefer Aqua fortis.AKA "Nitric Acid"..Ive had a lot of rifle builders tell me they stopped using chromium trioxide because it has a tendancy to turn maple a greenish color. Sometimes after a year sometimes after 10-15 years..I cant completely vouch for that but Ive been told that many times by many different folk
http://muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/cgi-bin/mbscart/agora.cgi?product=Gun-Finishes
*Sand handle too 220 grit
*Buff handle with #0000 steel wool
*Buff handle with heavy cloth/denim
*Stain with aqua fortis
*Buff again with #0000 steel wool
*Buff again with heavy cloth/denim
*Rub with boiled linseed oil
*Finish with wax..
The ammount of curl can vary depending on grade of maple.
All these handles were done with this same method..
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I find that the Aqua Fortis works great - and especially good on curly ash.
Chromium Trioxide will turn a handle green over time if it is not properly neutralized. I do a water/vinegar wash down after I stain it.
RMJ
 
Thanks, guess thats the reason:thumbup:..I know when I tried muriatic acid it worked well but had to be neutralized or all kinds of problems would occur..
Absolutly love your historical hawks by the way..Great stuff!!!
RMJ Tactical said:
I find that the Aqua Fortis works great - and especially good on curly ash.
Chromium Trioxide will turn a handle green over time if it is not properly neutralized. I do a water/vinegar wash down after I stain it.
RMJ
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