Finished! A set of Osage Orange BK11 Scales

Col Defender

Col Defender

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Nov 11, 2011
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Just roughed out these scales from a piece of Osage Orange in the background. This stuff, when freshly cut or split is yellow but with exposure to air and time turns orangey/brown like the aged piece in the background. I'd like to keep the yellow color; does anyone know if I can do so? Perhaps some sort of a sealer to prevent them from aging??




And here's a pic of the finished product. Thanks to everyone who gave me some advice. There are some issues that don't show in this picture but I just view my little mistakes as opportunities to do better the next time. I'm really new to making knives and handles but it sure is fun!




Steve
 
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If I recall correctly, UV causes the color change. A finish that uses UV inhibitors may work but not as well as you would like. In the wood turning forums that I am on, it seems that the consensus was that nothing works well to keep the wood from darkening. I suppose that the wood can be sanded down when it darkens but I really don't think you want to keep doing that. Sorry to be of such little help.
 
A resin based liquid such as Minwax Wood Hardener is used to penetrate the wood and replace the moisture. Usually this is performed under vacuum to insure the resin penetrates deeply enough. It is usually not enough to just paint the resin on or just soaking the wood in it.
 
If someone could figure out a way to keep Osage Orange from turning brown, they'd be a wealthy person indeed.

Many have tried, all have failed thus far.


Fortunately, it still beautiful wood even after to turns brown.
 
Blackhawk45hunter said:
If someone could figure out a way to keep Osage Orange from turning brown, they'd be a wealthy person indeed.

Many have tried, all have failed thus far.


Fortunately, it still beautiful wood even after to turns brown.
Click to expand...

Thanks all. I'll just do what I can with some spray on sealer that will probably not work. Fun little project anyway.
 
Col Defender said:
Thanks all. I'll just do what I can with some spray on sealer that will probably not work. Fun little project anyway.
Click to expand...

Don't despair, Osage orange takes a nice polish with some carnauba wax, similar to Cocobolo and is just as hard to boot!
Take your time and sand up to 600 grit, wiping down with a damp rag between grits to raise the grain.

Buff on a buffing wheel (4-8", not the little Dremel buffing wheels, those are useless for this) with some hard carnauba wax.

You'll end up with some seriously beautiful scales.
 
I made the scales so they would cover up the bottle opener and also made a tiny Osage Orange insert to fill the resulting gap between the scales at the back of the handle. It's almost invisible now that it is sanded flush.
 
Looks great. My 24 wears Osage. I would not worry much about the color unless you store your knives outside in the sun & weather. It should take years ,in the meantime it will only look better. Nice work.
 
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