Haft finish question

[BitingSarcasm]

I need to refinish a haft that's got some hot spot issues. It's ash but with some really wide grain that seems to have swelled before they put a sheet of poly on it, leaving perceptible ridges that are really annoying.

I would use one of my normal finishes, but I usually make things a little "grippy" and this needs to have low friction to let hands slide without catching. So instead of experimenting and reinventing the wheel, I figured I would ask here about what you would use. It's a weighted exercise toy, not an axe, so it doesn't have to be outdoorsy and bulletproof--just looking for something better than a mineral oil soak.

Thanks!

 

[Brian Rust]

I would you a scraper/box knife blade/sharp pocket knife and scrape the entire handle smooth. This will take off the varnish as well as smooth out the ridges. Then I use linseed oil on handles. I have also experimented with olive oil. I had some in the kitchen but no linseed oil and I was very surprised with it. But I think that will help a lot.

 

[Square_peg]

I'd finish it with a wiping varnish like Fornby's 'Tung Oil' or a 'Danish Oil'. They contain a blend of oils and varnishes. There's BLO to soak into the wood plus varnishes to produce a semi-glossy and nicely grippy finish. Real tung oil is also available and will make a specctacular finish after 6-8 coats.

https://www.realmilkpaint.com/shop/oils/half-and-half/

It used to be mixed with citrus oil and took a long time to cure. I haven't tried the new pine oil mix yet so I can't say how it dries.

 

[Agent_H]

Here is another stain discussion thread that might interest you:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/staining-an-axe-handle.1372303/