Handle Color (Newbie Question)

Col Defender

Col Defender

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
1,398
Hi - I have re-handled a few axes etc with House Handle hickory handles which so far at least are very light in color. I would like a darker handle. Are there darker wood handles I can use, and where do I get them? Or what type of finish can I put on the light colored hickory handles to darken them?

Thanks

Steve
 
Search "Burning handles" on you tube. Very cool...I'm gonna try it on something. The vid also taught me a couple things about BLO I didnt know
 
I'd go with a stain. I have concern that flame hardening hickory takes away some of its flexibility.

And I have no evidence to support this but it feels to me like the whiter hickorys are tougher, more flexible and in general better wood for axe handle. Tung oil adds a little color to the wood but if you want dark then you need to stain or dye it.
 
/\/\ A stiff, clublike handle is ok for a few minutes. For prolonged use, I need to have the handle around 5/8ths of an inch thick, and almost whippy being so flexible.
 
I avoid stains on my handles. I don't know what it is exactly, but stains tend to really polymerize on the surface and give me a surface that is too smooth and causes heat/blisters. To me the difference is very significant. I prefer thin coats of BLO because it really soaks in and leaves you with a surface that still feels like wood in your hands. It is much easier on your hands that way and doesn't get slippery with some sweat. I have found that water based dyes give me much more satisfactory results. You might try some leather dye like Fiebings Leather Stain. It comes in many colors, can be cut, and if you check the MSDS spec sheet - you'll see that the ingredients are pretty harmless.

After a water based dye, I will follow up with BLO or another of my favorite oils (tung, walnut, beeswax) and your hands will never know the difference.
 
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