Osage Orange finish advice

R

raoulduke13

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Jan 16, 2009
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I'm making a knife for a friend and using osage orange for the handle material. After some research I cannot find a recommended oil, stain or finish to use for this wood. This may be a dumb question because as I understand it osage orange gets harder with time. I was just wondering if there was an oil or stain I could use. Thanks.
 
Osage Orange is very dense, thus does not readily absorb
finishes or stains......But a thin coat of tung oil will bring
out the color, and provide minimal protection.

Osage is light sensitive, and darkens with age. This process
can be accelerated by scorching.....very slowly/carefully with
a propane torch. Follow up with light sanding or fine steel
wool, then apply finish. MUST BE DRY.
 
Thank you Russ. I think i'll just go with the simple tung oil finsih to help bring out its color. That was my goal.
 
I got some nice walnut handle cutouts from Bill Moran's estate. They were dark brown and shaped to make ST-23 handles. I went to use one, only to have it turn bright orange when the belt sander hit it. They were Osage orange. I don't know if you can make the orange/yellow color stable, but using a UV blocking finish may help.
 
I'm curious about this as well. I have a ton of Osage that my dad gave me. As of right now I have no way of cutting it into scales. When I do get them cut and ready what would I use as a UV blocking finish? Where can I buy it?
 
I have used a linseed/shellac mixture with good results. Extra fine steel wool between coats (10-15) and the last coat gets rubbed with leather until it shines. Holds up well, but I may have to give tung oil a try.
 
You can stain it with tea, but then you have to let it sit to dry.
 
Osage Orange is very bright yellow when freshly sanded. Hard as Hades, but somewhat brittle and chippy to carve. You can darken it easily with Potassium Permaganate, various acids. A bit of experimentation with stuff you already have on hand will be informative. Sanded to a slick grit, Osage Orange doesnt really need a top finish, just wax and a real rub down.
 
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