Puukko profile/rehandle opinions

ClosetotheEdge

ClosetotheEdge

Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
32
I had this puukko kicking around - the blade is not marked but from some research I have done, it looks very similar to a Marttiini Lumberjack. It was pretty rusty and the edge was quite nicked up so I decided to give it some help. Got the bevel reground and gave it a vinegar patina and now I am on the handle.

Here is where it stands.

IMG_0721_zpsd104cfb5.jpg


So this question is; make it slimmer or leave as is?
 
If you are going to use it, make sure it fits your hand. Otherwise, give it a few coats of oil as is.
 
Thanks for the feedback. It does feel nice in my hand - I am not sure how much I will use it but It will be used. I am just curious from an aesthetic standpoint if it looked proportionate...

I have been using tung oil on the knives I have made. Is this a good choice? Anything else that is more suited for knife handles?
 
ClosetotheEdge said:
I have been using tung oil on the knives I have made. Is this a good choice? Anything else that is more suited for knife handles?
Click to expand...

Tung oil, Danish oil and Tru-oil are finishes that I like for knife handles.
There is a bit of penetration (brightens colors and gives depth to figure) and some surface build up (fills pores and gives an even surface). Multiple coats can yield a great looking handle with most woods. A while back Nick W did a video where he did the finishing on a handle for a knife.
 
PURE tung oil will not fully harden. It feels sort of rubbery. Mix it with some mineral spirits and varnish/poly to make it more like Danish oil. Watco Danish oil is really nice to work with (I just found some locally and is pretty close to the custom blend I used to make (30% tung, 30% mineral spirits, 30% oil based polyurethane, and 10% bees wax.)
 
It looks good as is. I think it might look a tiny bit better if the handle was thinned down just a tiny bit but it's hard to judge without holding it.

Tung oil is fine (the vast majority of tung oils on the markets are blends, not pure). I like tru oil, which is a tung oil blend, but only because it cures a tiny bit faster.
 
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the experienced replies...It seems unanimous that a good Danish oil (such as watco) would be a great finish - so that is just what I will do.

Fumbler - I think I might try to thin out the handle just a bit...it feels like it would be a bit "much" if used for an extended period of time.
 
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