Finishing handle (M43), please help

[wildmanh]

Thanks for the offer Uncle Bill. But don't think I'll need the help. I was able to upload the pics to my web site and am creating a page for them now.

Check out: www.geocities.com/wildmanh/knives/index.html for pictures and descriptions. The page is really simple right now and the pics really large. I'll be working on the page over the next few days.

 

[Walosi]

The GS handle is what I have always thought was Saatisal - very regular, straight dark and light bands, with sap grain highlights. The handle of the M43 is something I haven't seen before - redder and darker than any Saatisal I have (except the Chitlangi which still has some dye under the oil), and Heber said it was soaking up tung oil something fierce. Also, the grain isn't as straight, and is much finer. Hill Walnut?? Ideas??? Bro??? It looks very nearly like the wood of my carved sheath, but with more grain pattern.

 

[wildmanh]

and Heber said it was soaking up tung oil something fierce.

Yep, it was soaking it up really fast and tons of it. But I think the wood is not so thursty any more. Instead of taking under 30 seconds to absord the oil, it's taking more like 4+ minutes. My room is rather cool so it's taken almost 2 days for the last two coats to dry.

I'll be doing more work on the handles and web page. Idea's sujestion and comments are welcome. Thanks,

 

[Yvsa]

Originally posted by Walosi
The GS handle is what I have always thought was Saatisal - very regular, straight dark and light bands, with sap grain highlights.

That looks like what I've always associated as Saatisal as well.

The handle of the M43 is something I haven't seen before - redder and darker than any Saatisal I have (except the Chitlangi which still has some dye under the oil), and Heber said it was soaking up tung oil something fierce. Also, the grain isn't as straight, and is much finer.

Rosewood?

Hill Walnut?? Ideas??? Bro??? It looks very nearly like the wood of my carved sheath, but with more grain pattern.

Bro the M-43 handle slabs look more like what I've always called Rosewood that used to be common on the H.I.Khukuri's.
Some of its grain has been like the pic and I have a few khuks handled with the same wood.
Then occasionally a really nice piece of crotch grain or root grained wood will come along with some really interesting grain effects.
One of these days I need to count each of what I have and list it with the khukuri to have a better description of my small collection.
I have a lot of horn handled khuks as well.
My GRS, and I think my Super Salyan, has the rosewood handles. When I was cutting the handle down in size, outside, on a real humid, rainy day while the knife was used to a warm very dry winter house the haandle cracked on me. I was able to use super glue to get it back where it was un-noticeable.
It was my fault as I hadn't treated the handle with anything. I recall it being very, very thirsty when I started putting the oil to it.
And it may have seemed even worse than normal because the wood was sanded down with no finish at all from the factory.

The finish on my carved scabbard looks dyed it is so red. I'm thinking it may be saatisal from the grain, but there's no way of telling unless I can get the finish off. Whomever made it really put the varnish or whatever is used to this scabbard!!!!
I hate the thoughts of using a harsh chemical stripper on it, but it may force me to do so when I get ready to remove the finish prior to refinishing.
Time will only tell.

 

[BruiseLeee]

Very nice...

The GS handle looks similar to my sirupati handle in terms of finish. I may be doing something right

When does one declare woodchucking to be complete?

 

[Yvsa]

Originally posted by BruiseLeee
Very nice...

When does one declare woodchucking to be complete?

When one finishes one's own wooden casket with a 200 coat hand rubbed oil finish the day before it's needed.

 

[Walosi]

Originally posted by BruiseLeee

When does one declare woodchucking to be complete?

HEHEHEH - When your fingers are blunt stubs, and the undertaker can't get the smile off your face

Bruiser, at some point (it will vary with each piece of wood, and the conditions under which it is worked) the finish will begin to set up as a glass-like surface. It usually doesn't happen all over the piece, but in spots or sections. At that point, a few more coats and some more patience will see the whole piece "gloss out", and you can start wiping the drool off your chin. Heber is using low-gloss tung oil, so his won't set up as a gloss, but more like a misted gloss - the grain will still stand out, but the surface is "egg shell", as gunhou described it. I prefer it on some woods, and the shiny finish on others. Both are tough, and once they set up, dings and scratches are easily taken out with a little steel wool and more oil. Keep on keepin' on

 

[BruiseLeee]

Blunt stubs? Caskets?

Thanks for the answers. Does linseed oil offer a more durable finish than does the tung oil?

I've been squeezing my tongue but I can't seem to get any oil out of it.

 

[Walosi]

Just gallows humor, Bruise
Linseed is also a good finish, but no better than tung (squeezed from tung beans, not tung tongues - too noisy) Boiled linseed oil with a thinner will work. Formby's and Birchwood Casey Tru Oil are both tung oil based commercial preparations, which means a lot of the trial and error is reduced. With boiled linseed oil, the concoction can change while in the can (aging, etc.) The commercial concoctions are more stable in storage between uses, and less effected by exposure to air while in use. Many of the older commercial gunstock finishes were linseed based oils, and tung seems to have gained favor with the manufacturers in the past few years. Stability in manufacture and shelf life probably figure in as main factors. I used to use raw linseed oil on concrete warehouse floors, as a sealer to keep out moisture and prevent cracks in the slabs.It also gave the smooth poly tires on the fork lifts great traction, and reduced wear.

 

[wildmanh]

Originally posted by BruiseLeee
Very nice...

The GS handle looks similar to my sirupati handle in terms of finish. I may be doing something right

Hey Bruise, I would love to see the handle and knife. Can you email me a pic or two?

When does one declare woodchucking to be complete?

As for me, I'm going to stop woodchucking when I get the result I like. Should be soon for the GS.

 

[BruiseLeee]

Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera and am unable to provide anything more than a drawing done in PC paint My defence spending was way overbudget in 2001 Perhaps 2002 will see budget increases in social programs, like gettin' a camera

 

[Bill Martino]

Originally posted by Yvsa


When one finishes one's own wooden casket with a 200 coat hand rubbed oil finish the day before it's needed.

Thanks for first laugh of 2002, Bro. And the kicker is then stick it and yourself in the oven and burn it all to hell (speaking only for myself).

 

[wildmanh]

Thanks to everyone that offered ideas and sugestions. The Handle is coming along nicely A friend just got back from vacation and has a new Digital Camera. He said he could come over in the next couple of days and takes some pics of the knives for me.

Hey Walosi, did you get my email?

My defence spending was way overbudget in 2001 Perhaps 2002 will see budget increases in social programs, like gettin' a camera

Hehe he he! I know what you mean Bruise, I know what you mean. But it sure is fun isn't it?

 

[wildmanh]

Originally posted by Yvsa
Bro the M-43 handle slabs look more like what I've always called Rosewood that used to be common on the H.I.Khukuri's.

Well, what ever the wood is called, I like it. Wouldn't mind having more handles made out of it.

My GRS, and I think my Super Salyan, has the rosewood handles.

Oh boy, I bet they look really sweet. Have any pics that you wouldn't mind sharring? I'd love to see em.

I recall it being very, very thirsty when I started putting the oil to it. And it may have seemed even worse than normal because the wood was sanded down with no finish at all from the factory.

The Handle on my GS was so thirsty I almost considered sticking it in tung oil for a few hours

 

[Yvsa]

Sorry Heber I don't have any pix that would show off the grain up close.
And sometimes just exactly that is done when soaking some materials. It's usually done with boiled linseed oil, if you leave it too long it can soak up too much and then it will start getting sticky until it's allowed to dry completely.

 

[Bill Martino]

I'm starting to believe that woodchuckery might be contagious -- thankfully, I seem to be immune and am content to let the dust bunnies take care of things.