So as the title says I forgot to raise the grain on a couple handles, I didn't have enough time one night so figured I'd get them all done except for raising the grain and sand it down and I'd do it to all of them the next day before starting BLO coats. Well obviously I forgot to raise the grain and sand down and have put a few coats of BLO on them, the only axes I've used that are finished with BLO have had the grain sanded so I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes when using them. One of them is a keeper and other 2 are sellers but if it is something I should remedy even if they were all sellers I still wouldn't say screw it and hope they don't notice cause that's bad business. So basically my question is if I just wet the handles will the grain raise like normal even with the BLO? Is it going to mess up the handles if I try and do it with it being finished with BLO? Or is it just not a big deal at all and it'll work its way out over time just from using it? If it won't affect it much I don't mind leaving it but if it's going to make a big difference I would like to try and fix it, just don't know if it's as simple as it is when the wood is untreated, honestly I've never had to sand a handle after I treated it with BLO except one of the first ones I did and I left too much on so it got sticky. That one was left looking striped cause I tried sanding it off and didn't know lacquer thinner would work at the time, the handle isn't ruined but doesn't look as good as it could. Long story short i know it's probably not a big deal but just wanted someone else's opinion on whether i should bother trying to remedy it or just leave it.
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Forgot to raise grain before using BLO, should I leave it or try to fix?
- Thread starter Jlemay18
- Start date
Yeah but if you can do something to make it less likely to cause things like blisters why wouldn't you? Some of us here use our axes and the finish of the handle makes a difference with the wear and tear on your hands.
Park Swan
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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A blister is just a callous that hasn't matured IMO. A blister can be a sign that something isn't shaped well, because it causes hotspots, or it can just be a sign that you've been working. For the latter type of blister, the grippier the tool is, the more friction it'll have against your hand during use. You don't want a skateboard grip-tape handle, but you don't want a handle that's slippery either. I suggest that axe use is going to cause blisters no matter what due to the nature of the tool, of course you can wear gloves if it's a big concern.
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Well the grain and patina the handle develops over time is appealing so it is something people pay care and attention to. Probably the focus on the handle is why Best made has carved out such a niche these days.
https://www.bestmadeco.com/shop/products/the-axe-shop
Exactly. Sometimes I spend almost as much time on the handle as I do on the head, there's a huge difference in the look, feel and function of a quality, well cared for handle than a junk one. Obviously raising and sanding down the grain isn't a huge deal but if it can save my hands a bit it's worth it. But not worth ruining the handle so I'll probably test it out and if it's not a huge deal leave it alone.
Just leave it. If you must, scrunch up a paper bag and buff the handle like you hate it for a minute. It will be just fine. A wise man once wrote "It's an axe handle, not a piano."Keep that in mind.
Hahaha, I'll give that a shot. I knew it wasn't a huge deal but if I can save my hands a bit it's worth it, just didn't want to ruin the handle in the process cause a handle that looks and feels good makes a huge difference but obviously others don't worry about it as much as I do. I'll just use it and see how it is, it'll probably be fine but I sweat quite a bit and especially on a rainy day I thought if the handle got wet and the grain raised it would wear my hands out faster. Blisters come with the work but if I can get more work done before I get one or avoid it all together so my job doesn't suck as much it's worth trying
I usually raise the grain with alcohol and this speeds up the process and have sanded between coats of BLO and found no harm no foul. Many times when finishing hardwoods I've done a wet sanding with Watco Oil and 600 makes for a nice finish.
Remember that its wood and can be fixed many times over.
Rick
Remember that its wood and can be fixed many times over.
Rick
Square_peg
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Hit it with some 320 grit wet/dry and give it a couple more coats of oil.
The two best way to avoid blisters are:
1. Blisters, that eventually turn into callouses.
2. Gloves.
Yeah I just haven't had a lot of time lately to keep up the callouses and it's the busy season with work so I don't want to get blisters and be less efficient. And just not a huge fan of gloves when using axes mauls etc. cause you don't have as good of a feel for it or as good of a grip with most gloves. If I was using axes almost daily as I would like to I would just deal with it and build callouses on them but that's not the case at least right now. And there's a difference between blisters from stress points from use and if the grain was really rough and cause them because it's all over the axe handle rather than just the stress points. But it most likely wouldn't be enough to cause blisters unless I put in a lot of time and the grain will probably just wear down with use anyway
Square_peg
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You're not wearing the right gloves. I've posted these before and I'll likely post them again. These are super thin and comfortable and give you amazing grip. And you retain your dexterity. All the tradesmen at the university where I work have switched to these. We can't keep them on the shelves.
Maxi-flex Ultimate, gray with black palm.
https://www.amazon.com/ATG-MaxiFlex-34-874-Fingered-General/dp/B004H0DYLQ
Funny you should post those now, my dad just gave me a pair yesterday. Not sure if they're the same brand but even if not they're basically the same thing. He grabbed them for me cause he thought they'd be good for my fall cleanup jobs since they're light but won't get wet and have good grip. Haven't tested them out with an axe yet but they seem good, I think I'll still always prefer no gloves just cause you don't get that same feel for it with gloves. Which sounds dumb said on this thread but blisters from use tend to be in the same spot unless you're using very different handle shapes or finishes. So if you have callouses built up then you'll be a lot less likely to get blisters.
I'm a little confused by this question. Are you saying raising the grain, then re-sanding is what will help prevent blisters? If so, I don't think it will make any noticeable difference if the handle has been sanded. I sand my handles with 80-120 tops, then apply multiple coats of BLO. The number of coats until the finish is correct and has that matte sheen (IMO) is about 10-12, if not more. That finish is grippy, without killing your skin, especially with gloves.
So I guess to answer your question, I really don't think you'll be able to tell the difference. I personally think raising the grain applies more to decorative wood like furniture or high end knife handles.
So I guess to answer your question, I really don't think you'll be able to tell the difference. I personally think raising the grain applies more to decorative wood like furniture or high end knife handles.
Park Swan
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Or wood surfaces that will see repeated water exposure, such as a cutting board or spoon.
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Rub the snot out of it with some steel wool. It'll get nice and slick and knock off the raised fibers.
Next time you're sanding something such as a handle, once you finish sanding it take a wet rag and wet the surface of the wood and let it dry. Once it dries the grain of the wood will be raised and you'll be able to feel it running your hand over it even though you've already sanded it. The reason I asked this is because you use axes outside and it's hard work so you're likely to get the handle wet either thru rain or sweat. I know blisters are inevitable but if I can make them less likely by doing something easy it's worth it.