Oops (Warning to others!) Winter = dry = oil you handles

[Shinook]

Does that mean you let it soak for two months?

I wish! If all I had to do was soak them for two months, I'd use tung oil. It's abou two months worth of applying coat after coat.

 

[sweetcostarica]

Does that mean you let it soak for two months?

Very funny.

Just talking about the completion time.

These are the steps I take:
A. Use stripper solvent to clean off any oils, paint, etc. Time: Day 1
(If finishing raw wood skip step A and go to step B)

B. Use 220 sand paper to remove dark spots and smooth wood out a little.
Then rinse wood with denatured alcohol. Time: Day 2

C. Seal the wood with 3 parts mineral Spirits and 1 part 100 %Tung Oil.
Put on with a brush or cloth. Time: Day 3

D. Fill the wood with 3 parts mineral Spirits /1 part 100 %Tung Oil mixture and 220 WetorDry Sandpaper or lighter.
Rub the wood with the Sandpaper in circles until a slurry and wipe off against the grain. Allow two (2) days to dry. Time: Day 5

E. Protect the wood with 1 part mineral Spirits/1 part 100 %Tung Oil mixture (some people use a 2 part M.S. to 1 part T.O.).
Time to hand rub the Tung Oil into the wood. Rub the mixture until you see a haze on the wood. This doesn't take long.
Wipe the oil off with a shop tower with the grain. Time: Day 6

Important: make sure you wait two (2) days for the oil to dry.
Repeat Step E at least 4 times (IMO). I recommend 8 or 9 coats of Tung Oil for the best protection. Time: Day 21 (9 coats)
After the last coat of Tung Oil is applied you must wait one (1) month for it to cure. Keep the wood out of direct sunlight for that month.
Finished project and ready to use. Time: Day 52


Above: Picture of a bottle of 100% Tung Oil and a Guitar finished with Tung Oil

 

[Karda]

I really think people get too hung up on their preferences in handle treatments and care.
Some treatments will work well for some people and not for others. Some treatments will be preferred by some for various reasons and some users will prefer a different product and treatment.
Some will find excessive routine care too much a chore and others will find it soothing.
In all actuality the worst problem i see with khukuri is inadequate or improper care and storage.
Some areas of the country will necessitate more preventive maintenance and care after usage and other areas will require very little.
The only time i've experienced any drying and cracking here is when i've stored my khukuri too close to a heat vent or too high on the wall where more warm air is present. This is not a manufacturing fault, it is end user error. I do not treat my blades with anything other than mineral oil and i very seldom will treat the handles with anything.

 

[JUSTRIGHT]

{Some areas of the country will necessitate more preventive maintenance and care after usage and other areas will require very little.
The only time i've experienced any drying and cracking here is when i've stored my khukuri too close to a heat vent or too high on the wall where more warm air is present. This is not a manufacturing fault.....}
I agree with Karda. I have tried everything (all that was mentioned above.) All will work to a point. U got to remember that use and vibration is the culpret here. My 18" ANG KHOLA HORN HANDLE still cracked after many coats of lanolin and hooflex. I think the wood handles (IMO) are best to use. It will take the punishment better than horn. None of the wood handles have cracked,yet lol. I keep them in a draw away from heat with a bag of silicon chips near by. All is good. So far...

 

[JUSTRIGHT]

Sweet, Those handles are beutiful!:thumbup:

 

[Coloradoman24]

I really think people get too hung up on their preferences in handle treatments and care.
Some treatments will work well for some people and not for others. Some treatments will be preferred by some for various reasons and some users will prefer a different product and treatment.
Some will find excessive routine care too much a chore and others will find it soothing.
In all actuality the worst problem i see with khukuri is inadequate or improper care and storage.
Some areas of the country will necessitate more preventive maintenance and care after usage and other areas will require very little.
The only time i've experienced any drying and cracking here is when i've stored my khukuri too close to a heat vent or too high on the wall where more warm air is present. This is not a manufacturing fault, it is end user error. I do not treat my blades with anything other than mineral oil and i very seldom will treat the handles with anything.

I agree but this is the guy who treats his wood handles with 2 stroke premix oil for two reason got 50 gallons of a brand I don't like and it's right next to the bench