Finishing Purple Heart

M

me2

Joined
Oct 11, 2003
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Anybody working w/ this wood for handles? I found a source at just the right thickness for slab handles. Any tips on finishing/polishing and oiling/sealing?
 
I have the same question. I recently put a handle on a knife using purpleheart. I couldn't get a good finish on it so I ended up breaking it off and putting on a new handle.
 
Ive gave up on it too but did find that if I heat it up with a heat gun I could get it to turn purpler.
 
The wood has a lot of silica in it, so it is rough on tools.
It takes a lot of grain-filling. I use 4F pumice mixed with gold size (or BLO)and turpentine, and sand it in.
Heat or light will get it to turn purple after sanding.
A wiping varnish will finish it off nicely.
I've got most varieties of figure...fiddleback, curly, quilted, crotch, but no straight grained...
 
Yeah, one of my problems was that it lost it's purpleness after I sanded it smooth. I'll try leaving it out in the sun. Maybe that will get it purple again. Another thing was that you need really sharp new belts otherwise it will burn very easily when belt sanding.
 
If you can afford it, purpleheart is appearantly good for making tall ships. I believe it's the replica of the Susan Constant in Virginia that is made of purpleheart. It seems they were tired of replacing replicas that would get eaten by bugs every few decades, and purpleheart is one of those "toxic" tropical hardwoods.
 
Here's the finish for Purpleheart.

http://www.penofin.com/products_marine.shtml


Penofin Marine Oil Finish is used for boats, docks, marinas, or wherever wood is exposed to harsh conditions. Good for all wood species.
• 99% ultraviolet protection
• Added high-grade mildewcide for marine conditions
• Eliminates need to varnish
• Hand-rubbed look
 
Thanks, that helps. I may just skip it, and go with something a little less complicated.
 
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