ironwood question

[BonhamBlades]

What does everyone like to use to finish ironwood if you prefer it not to darken with time and handling? Thank you in advance for your time and energy to answer.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

For me, I sand it as fine as i can. Often to 5000 grit, then take it across the buffing wheel. THat will get it nice and shiny with a sort of silky softness "its a strange feeling." The only coating I put is from time to time a little tung oil. Ironwood is really quite a low maintence wood.

 

[BonhamBlades]

and does that keep the colors bright and vivid or after time does it still become dark and details blur to a near solid color?

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Almost all wood darkens with age. Its really unavoidable. Tungoil does not provide much protechtion, but ironwood is pretty good about keeping its color. Keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time and you should be fine.

 

[BonhamBlades]

I am o.k. with darkening, however my handles are darkening to a level of loosing all contrast a near solid color. Which is pretty disheartening with the price of nice burl these days. I typically go to 800 grit and buff with the white rouge. I am tempted to try clear coat or perhaps ca glue may help.

 

[LARRYZ10]

I use a lot of ironwood. I sand my scales to 600 grit and buff lightly with fine white compound. I have ironwood on many of my personal knives and I haven't really noticed if they have darkened. I don't think that would bother me though. The wood is so hard and dense I don't think it would absorb much of anything and the soft glow of real ( unvarnished) wood appeals to me. The cure for any discoloration would be to lightly sand it again and the finish would be renewed. Just my opinion. Larry