- Joined
- Dec 29, 2010
- Messages
- 22
I'm using figured white ash for 3 hidden tang knife handles. Even though these are learning/practice knives, I'd like to protect the wood in case they are used outdoors or in damp conditions.
I have some danish oil with a medium stain. I tested it on a scrap piece of the ash. The open pores absorbed so much that the nice sharp grain and color gradient became a muddied mess. Any suggestions for a clear sealer to use for white ash?
Some background:
I recently purchased 6 blade blanks to learn about putting handles on knives. The basic knife blanks are 3 full tang and 3 hidden tang. If these go well, I'll move up to making stock-removal blades then possibly into forging.
I finished 2 of the full tang knives using micarta scales cut with a scroll saw. They look decent if you don't look too close. Once my sanding technique is better, I will re-sand both of them to be much more presentable. Nick Wheeler's sanding videos on youtube had some good techniques.
I have ash handles profiled and drilled for 2 of the hidden tang blades. It's certainly been a learning experience. I've also taken a dislike to the small, soft guards that came with the hidden tang knives. At least one of them will be replaced with a canvas micarta guard that can be sanded with the handle. It's hard not to scratch the soft, polished guards.
The reason for using ash is I found a nicely figured table leg at a home improvement store for $5. I saw it and immediately thought that should be turned into knife handles. It made three 5" blocks that were 1-5/8" square. Ash is straight grained, but this was sawn at a slight angle to the grain. The figure on the sides is nice.
I have some danish oil with a medium stain. I tested it on a scrap piece of the ash. The open pores absorbed so much that the nice sharp grain and color gradient became a muddied mess. Any suggestions for a clear sealer to use for white ash?
Some background:
I recently purchased 6 blade blanks to learn about putting handles on knives. The basic knife blanks are 3 full tang and 3 hidden tang. If these go well, I'll move up to making stock-removal blades then possibly into forging.
I finished 2 of the full tang knives using micarta scales cut with a scroll saw. They look decent if you don't look too close. Once my sanding technique is better, I will re-sand both of them to be much more presentable. Nick Wheeler's sanding videos on youtube had some good techniques.
I have ash handles profiled and drilled for 2 of the hidden tang blades. It's certainly been a learning experience. I've also taken a dislike to the small, soft guards that came with the hidden tang knives. At least one of them will be replaced with a canvas micarta guard that can be sanded with the handle. It's hard not to scratch the soft, polished guards.
The reason for using ash is I found a nicely figured table leg at a home improvement store for $5. I saw it and immediately thought that should be turned into knife handles. It made three 5" blocks that were 1-5/8" square. Ash is straight grained, but this was sawn at a slight angle to the grain. The figure on the sides is nice.
