Making My First Knife

[jaw719]

I bought an oyster knife blank and wanted to fit a handle to it. I have never done this before so I knew there would be a learning curve.

I took a piece of 2x2 white pine and and cut off a 5" section and then cut it into two piece. I used a router to cut a channel for the blade tang and then shaped the handle with some sanding belts.

For finishing the handle, I used some Minwax Walnut and put four coats on it. I went to apply to Tung Oil and it rubbed some of the stain off and now it is very blotchy.

My question is, what am I doing wrong? Should I have just left the stain on there and not finish it? Let the stain dry longer? Or just apply the Tung Oil to the unstained wood?

Progression on the handle.

 

[Matt Rochester]

I haven't used stain before. Most colored woods are dyed under vacuum so the color penetrates all thethe way. You could try soaking the handle in stain and then wiping the excess nd letting it dry for a few days. Also maybe use a wood conditioner first?

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Pine is pretty bad at evenly accepting stain. Use a sanding sealer first.

 

[JeffreyFogleboch]

Get yourself a nice piece off wood. The handle material really makes the knife! Why not try some maple? I know that takes stain very well and if you can find a figured piece it will be stunning

 

[townerj86]

There are stain pretreaters that help but as a rule pine is infamous for being blotchy. Also if you don't allow the stain to dry completely it plays a part in stain rubbing off if you apply an oil over it.