finishing macassar ebony

M

magnum .44

Joined
Jun 12, 1999
Messages
1,110
how should i finish my macassar ebony handles? i can use super glue, shellac, paste wax, tung oil, teak oil, or an epoxy type finish. it doesn't have to stand up to a lot of abuse, but must be shiney and slick. can i just leave it unfinished?
 
Brian, I would just sand it thru say 600 grit or as fine as you think it needs, and rub some coats of danish oil or something like that into it.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
mike, the danish oil darkens it, i like the brown stripes so i'm gonna go with super glue.
tom, how do i do a superglue finish? i know of it, just don't know how to do it.
 
i always use super glue on ebony for a number of reasons...one of the foremost being it checks when it gets WARM....so the superglue prevents that...ESPECIALLY in the endgrain....it cracks very easily and so superglue is the best for stabilizing it... i buy the stuff in the $20 bottles at the hobby store...bigger bottles just go off so stay away from those, unless you live in alaska.....i squirt it all over the just about finished handle, try and get it even with a qtip, but that never happens, sand off the messy part with 600, do it again, and again...and as many times as you feel like....it makes the ebony polish like glass.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Geeze guys, ya didn't have to jump me like this, I'm sorry I gave the wrong answer, geeze!!
biggrin.gif

Tom, thanks for correcting me and setting Brian on the right path!! I thought with wood as tight grained and dry as ebony is, it needed some oil. Oh well, thank the Lord for bladeforums!!! Take care! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
To apply the super glue / cyanocrylate try using a lint free cotton cosmetic pad. The type used to remove make up or nail polish. They're cheap.

Don't laugh, it's a tip I got from Scott Slobidian!

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Glen AKA Centaur
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
- Isaac Newton
 
I agree with Glen, but suggest foam cosmetic pads. Q-tips and similar things sometimes tend to leave fibers in the finish.


Carl
 
sorry mike
tom, i'm gonna try out the superglue finish, i just bought a pack of it yesterday. i guess i'll give it about 3 coats. then buff. i'll look for some of those pads.

[This message has been edited by magnum .44 (edited 06-21-2000).]
 
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