How do you finish the handles?

Rebel Nimrod

Rebel Nimrod

Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
740
John, thought it would be interesting to hear how you finish the handles of your knives?

You too KYenglish, some beautiful stuff you are doing.

Anybody else chime in too, I am trying some Tung Oil on my Classis Kephart Iron Wood and don't really know what I'm doing!
 
I use progressively finer sandpaper, followed by 0000 steel wool. After that I use warm boiled linseed oil rubbed on with my fingers. After that sets a bit I wipe it off, then use the steel wool again. I repeat this three or four times.
 
JK Knives said:
I use progressively finer sandpaper, followed by 0000 steel wool. After that I use warm boiled linseed oil rubbed on with my fingers. After that sets a bit I wipe it off, then use the steel wool again. I repeat this three or four times.
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Bongo, although I don't use steel wool, just rub it down with microfiber clothes between each use of linseed oil, I've also used different Mini Wax stains and finished, have tried polyethylene (I don't like "that shiny" finishes but it's a good one.) I also tried using successive "glue treatments with loctite. Sanding after each application and applying more to seal and shine the scales (the Passaround Iris knife had this and I was impressed by how it stood up.)


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Edited to add: thanks for the compliment!
 
Thanks for the explanations on how y'all do the BLO finish!

KYenglish, what is the "glue treatment"? Never heard of it, but the Passaround knife was one that made me want to post this thread. Loved that finish and how the grain/figure stood out! Could you elaborate more please?
 
Haven't heard of anyone else doing it but it sounded like. Good idea.

Basically its the same method but using loctite instead on linseed oil. I also had to resand at the highest grit I'd used on he scales to smooth the glue, which dried clear but not at an even thickness across the handle. I locked it into a vice the same way I do to shape the scales and sanded it all smooth before each treatment. I applied 3 layers of loctite before I felt it was well impregnated, smooth and sealed.

FYI, loctits a beast to sand with 600 grit paper.
 
loctite-super-glue-bottle-5g-ref-80001611.jpg


StNdard clear drying super glue from them. Save the fancy stuff for attaching scales :)
 
Very unique idea, thanks for sharing!

Anybody else have a preferred method of finishing wood scales?
 
Waterlox is a tung oil based varnish that I use on most of my woodworking. It can be applied as a wipe on with 5 or 6 coats being a very very durable finish. It penetrates as a tung oil but creates a nice surface protection after mutiple coats. The best table/bar top finish I know - also used on floors - and my knives are well served by it too. Easy to repair or blend and build up if the wood gets damaged.

Like all of these oil finishes it does not truly dry for months after which you can buff it to a very nice sheen if you choose but just handling it gives it the best patina over time.
 
mykel m said:
The best thing I've found is........











































elbow grease, lots of elbow grease!:D
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Actually for wood, on the rare occasions I work a wood handle, I use BLO.
For Micarta I sand it down to 400-600 grit then give it a bit of Ren-Wax to darken it.

The main ingredient remains elbow grease though.
 
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