Q needs A Regarding The Staining a White Birch Mora Handle..

[sergemaster]

Hey guys,
For a project, I wanted to age my new arrival, a Mora SLT # 2 out a bit to give it more of a used "bushie" look from its simple bare bones appearance, so I began with starting with staining the handle.

So what I have done is over the course of several days was sand the heck outta the handle, then I first applied a polyurethane/walnut stain mixture that truly was a mess applying.

After it finally dried I was not happy in one bit with the results, so one steel wool 000 grade pad later, I was able to remove all of the sloppy poly from the Mora.

Afterwards, I took a lit torch over the entire handle very carefully, then applied a flat over the corner dark wood stain (Old English actually), and after several applications, I was able to darken the handle to some extent.

As for the blade, I attempted to add patina by using the potato approach to mixed results. I later tried a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice, and then used an apple and let it sit overnight but to no significant avail..

I guess Laminated steel doesn't take well to patina as good as carbon steel does. So anyhoo, here are the results.

Quick question, if I wish to continue to stain the handle to a more darker finish, since it's a white Birch which is quite difficult to do so, what do any of you suggest?







Cheers,
Serge

 

[Bob W]

I bought a Mora a few years ago for a Father and Son project when he's old enough. The handle is unfinished wood, probably like your's, and a carbon steel blade.

My plan for the handle is to sand and stain like you did, but then finish by dipping in some sort of oil as a protector. The oil would soak in and get to all of the wood, especially around the ferrule and end nut. That'd be much better than a polyurethane, which is only a surface coating and very slippery.

If you have to remove more polyurethane, use a chemical stripper. Rubbing that stuff off with steel wool must have been a nightmare.

 

[CWL]

I think that it looks fine in your photo. Now take it outside and give it some real character by using it. Nothing looks more "used" than a knife that has been resharpened a few times.

 

[sergemaster]

It certainly was, especially since some of it dripped onto the blade that had to be removed. cleaning poly off a razor sharp Mora can be quite tricky especially when you're a southpaw.

As for an oil, makes sense since these ferrules seem to be punched through, but what type of oil, perhaps Linseed or what about your common Hopps variety used for lubing up your firearms?

Cheers,
Serge

 

[CWL]

If you have some gaps in the ferrule area, you can drip Crazy Glue into the gaps to seal.