Finishing Claro Walnut

U

unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
7,951
I am getting near the end of my latest build, and am using Claro Walnut for the handle. I know that most places wont stabilize this stuff, so I didn't even try find someone to stabilize it. I was planning on just going the beeswax route, but I am finding out just how porous this stuff is. Will the beeswax fill in the pores, or do I need to go a different route such as numerous coats of tung oil? I would like the wood to darken up a bit, but still have the highlights that it did when I started shaping it.

Yes I did use the search and didn't come up with any definitive answers other than someone saying crazy glue. I tried that before and didn't like the way it came out. Nice shiny finish, but it didn't accent the natural wood very well.
 
I have not done any Claro walnut so take this for what it's worth.The last real pourous handle I did (black poison wood) I submerged the whole handle in Watco Danish Oil for 24 hours then took it out wiped it off and let dry for 4 days,then finished with my normal routine of 6 coats of danish and sanding,
It turned out nice with a lot of nice highlights.
Stan
 
I don't know if we have Watco Danish Oil up here, but I will look while I am out today. If we don't have it up here would any danish oil work?

While searching with Google I came across that brand suggestion for gun stocks, I just didn't know if the same thing would be good for knife handles. I have the wood shaped and sanded out to 600 grit I would like to take it up to 12k-15k for the finished product. While it is soaking I could finish up polishing the pommel and guard.

Edit: it turns out we have Watco brand danish oil, but it is only available in Golden Oak tint:grumpy:
 
for walnut I like Tru-oil. that's what I use on my gun stocks. The ArmorAll method really speeds things up as well.


-Xander
 
I pretty sure all danish oils are the same,just name brand difference.danish has more polyurethane in it to help solidify the handle when dry.
Stan
 
safta said:
Take a look at post #17

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773240
Click to expand...

12345678910 said:
That's the info I was thinking of too

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8648782&postcount=17
Click to expand...

See I wasn't coming up with those threads in my search:o. After talking with the person that is getting the knife and explaining the finishes to him, he decided that he would like the tung oil better. He likes the idea of a satin like finish on the handle, the satin of the blade and the polished brass to give some contrast.
I have a piece of the scrap from cutting out the rough shape of the handle to test with first to make sure I get the look I am after.

All this information has been saved for future reference, so thanks everyone for the input. I still have enough Claro Walnut to make about 3 more handles so I will be using this information in the future.
 
Some times all it takes are the right search words, I obviously wasn't using them. I did one CA finish and it turned out well, just not what I was looking for.
 
unky_gumbi said:
I am getting near the end of my latest build, and am using Claro Walnut for the handle. I know that most places wont stabilize this stuff, so I didn't even try find someone to stabilize it.
Click to expand...

K & G does a good job on this and I've done lots of it so it's only a "problem" for some.
 
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