Finishing Olivewood

Runthemall · Oct 10, 2017

I’ve decided to put an olivewood handle on my next knife. Not stabilized. I’m wondering how I should finish this handle? I tried to find information on this, but there’s no clear consensus on finishing wood handles. Anyone have advice?

Kevin McGovern · Oct 10, 2017

It's pretty oily so I'm not sure it will take a finish well. I have just sanded and buffed. Beware sanding can blacken the wood if you and too much from steel to wood. I love the way it smells when sanding.

Kevin McGovern · Oct 10, 2017

Runthemall · Oct 10, 2017

Nice blade! Love the pattern on that handle.

Horsewright · Oct 10, 2017

I have more problems from gunk transfer from buffing (even with a new buff), than from sanding. I wet sand with Danish oil up to about 600 grit. Then hand sand the finish at 2,000 and 4,000 to bring up a shine. Couple coats of wax that I buff off with a cotton ball.

Kevin McGovern · Oct 10, 2017

Runthemall said:
Nice blade! Love the pattern on that handle.

Thanks! I forgot to mention, I now wax and buff as well.

Hengelo_77 · Oct 11, 2017

just hand sand to 2500

Fish30114 · Oct 11, 2017

I've found Olive wood to be receptive to many types of finishes--I've used Tru-Oil, Walnut Oil, Danish Oil and even wipe on Poly--the high gloss-which didn't give me a high gloss finish-go figure--I like to use EEE wax, I use it a lot in Pen Making and buff the handle well after applying--if I want more sheen then I use Shellawax after. https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/17/1536/U-Beaut-EEE-Ultra-Shine-Paste-Wax AND https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/40/3279/U-Beaut-Shellawax-Cream