How to finish the handle for an Tomahawk???

[moria]

Knows everyone out there, how the traditionel way is to finish the Tomahawk handle to become a dark-brown color????

I just know they have waxed and oilet the handles, so I am will be thankful for every help.

 

[Nuttman]

If its maple you could check some of the websights where guy's finish
Muzzleloader stocks. I'm sure you would do it the same way as it is the same kind of woods.

 

[Jay Mulcahy]

I like to burn them with a torch, go slow and keep the flame moving. Then I steel wool them quick and while they are still warm I rub in a coat of danish oil stain (I think its dark oak). This gives them a nice dark aged appearance. If you want after its dry you can rub on a couple coats of turpentine and linseed oil mixed 50/50, I was told this is a traditional finish for wood. If you burnish the handle when dry they get a nice patina. I should mention this is for ash or hickory handles. Fancy curly maple handles are a whole different process.

 

[Brody R.]

what effect does the steel wool have?

 

[Jay Mulcahy]

Hi Brody, the steel wool knocks down the grain that gets raised by the torch, and if you work it hard you can take some of the darker scorched color off the handle, it makes it look worn and uneven. I try to get them to have an aged appearance.

 

[Coldwood]

I would stay away from steel wool because it can leave pieces of the metal imbedded in the wood. Just my .02.

You can get a twist pattern on the wood by soaking some jute twine in something like kerosene, and then wrapping it around the handle in a twist pattern. Then set it on fire. Don't worry, it's not going to destroy the handle, just scorch the surface. If you're not sure about this, try it on a piece of scrap first.

Then rub in a mixture of 1 part varnish, 2 parts linseed oil and 3 parts turpentine. Wipe off any excess. Let it dry overnight. Go over it lightly the next day with fine sandpaper to knock down any raised grain. Then apply the mixture again. Sand. Apply again. Eventually you will get a deep high gloss finish. If you want a semi-gloss or matte finish, just sand it so.

 

[GibsonFan]

Coldwood, how durable is that finish? I'm looking to finish a couple curly maple hawk and knife handles... they will definitely be for outdoor/rough use.

I finished my first hawk with a propane torch, maple stain and tung oil. I rubbed it between coats of stain (2) and oil(5) with 0000 steel wool. I've been using this finish for years on unpainted guitar necks (minus the torch! LOL) because it has a "raw" natural feel and mellows to a really nice amber after years of use. But I kind of doubt it will stand up to getting knocked around in the woods... I'm leaning towards a traditional finish with polyurethane over it. I need to check out the muzzloading guys, like Nuttman said...

 

[Jay Mulcahy]

A buddy of mine finishes his curly maple knife handles with Fiebings leather dye, then installs them on the blade. Once secured, he soaks them for a couple days in a jar of linseed oil, lets them dry for a few days and hand rubs them, gives a nice warm look. He used to build muzzleloaders. P.S., be careful using maple for a user hawk, I was told they are prone to break due to the nature of the wood, its very hard!

 

[Stuart Willis]

Leather Dye and tung oil is what I use on my hawk handles. I use the torch sometimes to define the stripes and curl a little more. Then use the 3m scotchbrite instead of steel wool. Rub it back then add the dye.