Ironwood Help??

[Greg Covington]

I haven't used Ironwood in awhile now....but the last I used darkened up alot.

Any recommendations on a sealer or finish for this stuff?

 

[Steve Hayden]

Ironwood doesn't need sealing.

I just sand it to 1500 grit and then buff it if it is at all dark, a coat of wax goes on sometimes. If it has cracks, I will glue them up before I finish to shape. You can put a coat of Carnuba wax on without darkening it much, but oils always seem to darken it more than I thought they should.

 

[NickWheeler]

Greg-

I grind/shape it and then sand to 1200 or 1500x by hand with a hard rubber block (finger shaped). And then buff lightly with white rouge. If I want a more sub-dued finish, I come back with a reall fine scotchbrite and do a couple of light, even passes over the handle.

I don't put oil on it, as it will darken it up in a hurry. I do put on a heavy coat of paste wax though.

It doesn't need it as a sealer... I like the wax to keep the oils from our hands off of it.

It will get darker to an extent though... no matter what you do.

Let's see the knife!
-Nick-