Katalox Bowie

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
First time ive used any of this wood, Katalox, in a Bowie. Its hard to see in the pics, but it has a nice dark brown base color, with some black "tiger" stripes.

Trying to figure out what finish to use on the Katalox without darkening it too much, so the standard oil finishes are out. Thinking of some sort of rub on poly????

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in the pics it has no finish on it yet, just wax at this point. Should look way better when finished out.... gonna experiment this week, as the standard tru oil finish normally used on walnut/maple etc... will darken this wood too much.
 
Matt,

That's another really graceful looking brute, if that isn't too much of a contradiction..

(On the finish, almost all woods will darken, from UV later, if not from oil now, but you might try several coats of poly spar varnish.
Rub on with a lint-free cloth, let soak, rub on several more coats, let dry over-nite, then wet-sand in a final coat of poly.)

John
 
I really like Katalox (aka Mexican ebony) and that's a beautiful piece there Matt. Given how dark, dense, and oily it is I usually finish it the same way I finish blackwood - high grit polish followed by a light rubdown with some oil. Doesn't really need much else. A poly spar varnish as John suggested is also a very good idea as it can help protect the wood from UV and other potentially harmful environmental factors as well but keep in mind these finishes are usually made with a linseed oil or tung oil base anyway. Regardless, katalox is a pretty rugged wood all by itself so it really doesn't need a whole lot to make it last and retain its natural beauty for a long time.
 
thanks fellas, gonna try some of that spar poly. I have a HUGE block of tha Katalox, all has that really nice stipe pattern. Have another block that is just kind of the brown base color. I found this wood while looking for riser blocks for trad. bows, and doing some research found how stable/dense/tough this wood is.
 
Very nice Matt. I love your big knives. I will ask in a more appropriate forum about the bow riser. I always enjoy seeing a new Lamey blade. Thanks for sharing.

Chris
 
Great looking blade Matt. Wood too. I saw a knife this year at blade show that Jimmy Chinn brought and what I noticed about the handle is that he was able to somehow capture that really "fresh ground" look on the desert ironwood. He said he used "Chinese fresh paint" which if I understand correctly is basically old fashioned lacquer. Wish I knew more. Dan Farr is a genius with wood finishes. Maybe he can chime in...

A.
 
That's a wickedly awesome knife and the wood is just gorgeous even without yet the finish. Great job!
 
That is a fantastic blade Matt. Wow! Love the hamon and well, everything about really.
Cheers Keith
 
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