Finishing different woods

B

Bluechrome

Joined
Dec 7, 2010
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2
Hi
I am making 4 knives with different woods on the handles. I want to bring out the color and the grain of the wood and like a 'glossy' type finish. Should I use oil or varnish/sealer?
How these woods should be finished:
1) Leopard wood (very dense)
2) Zebra wood
3) Tulip wood
4) Purple Heart (loses color/fades in time)
Thank you
Bluechrome
 
I would reccomend first, to get a set of micromesh sanding pads to prepare the surface very well. Pricey compared to sandpaper, but they last a long time if you wash them. I use them for turning and just bought a new set after a year of using them. Personally, I would mix up a friction polish. 1/3rd Lacquer (I use regular Deft from the hardware store), 1/3rd Lacquer thinner, 1/3 Boiled linseed oil. Dip the scales in a well mixed solution and then wipe excess. Set up a buffer with a clean soft wheel and polish. Repeat. After you are satisfied with the number of coats (Each coat only takes 5 minutes or so) finish it off with a paste wax to protect the finish and buff to the sheen you want. Easy to do and long lasting. Plus, the lacquer will seal the purpleheart and will enhance the grain in all of them.
 
When doing a 'dip' finish like this, what do you use to get the mixture off the blade once it is all finished?
 
I wouldnt do a dip, I would brush it/pad it on. I thought the scales were off the knife. and just wipe it off with a paper towel before it dries on the steel.
 
Thanks Tacticalblade
Your advice is much appreciated. How dry should the handle be before buffing or do you buff when the solution is wet?
Thanks again
 
Because of the fact that its a thinned finish, i'd wait for it to be tacky. It should only take a minute or 2. Dont put it on very thick but use many thin coats. I would reccomend padding it on with a paper towel. As fo Paste wax, I would use either Rennassiance wax, pure beeswax, or pure carnauba wax depending on your preference. A little bit of that goes a long way.
 
I've used it on cocobolo and macassar ebony with great results. If its really oily, say, teak or cocobolo, I wipe the surface with a papertowel soaked in acetone then put on the first coat. Same as with glueing those woods.
 
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