Protecting handles from handling

H

HallHandmade

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Jun 5, 2012
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So I just finished my third knife, which has a really nice piece of stabilized buckeye for the handle. It came out nice, but that means that unfortunately, every person I've shown it to has spent so long petting it that the handle is starting to "go green". I'm really afraid of damaging this special piece of wood. I will likely redo the finish sanding and buffing steps, but I was wondering if there is something I can do to protect it from the oils and soils on people's hands, so that my current favorite knife doesn't start looking dead.

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That looks great!

I did 3 coats of tung oil over mine about 6 months ago.
The copper has patina'd a bit, but even with nearly daily light use and handling, the wood looks the same as the day I finished it.
It's is a bit more shiney than unfinished, though.

 
Danish oil works for semigloss, tung oil is usually a bit flatter, and tru oil is glossy. Bees wax on top of the oil finishes it off nicely. Nice knives, both of you.
 
Yes it does seal the wood better. Even though its stabilized, the wood fibers themselves can absorb oils, water, dirt etc. Oiling the wood seals the wood fibers that were exposed from the shaping process.
 
Agreed, that's real nice for a third knife.
Tru oil is pretty dandy stuff, it really makes the grain pop and protects the surface- it's actually a varnish, and it's super easy to use.
If it feels too slippery, a quick coat of wax solves that.
 
Buff with white compound

I do this on all my wood handles. It not only protects them but it makes them very, very grippy.
 
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