Question: Preserving my Wood Handle

S

SpookMonkey

Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
5
Hello all,

I own an Tarwar by bura and a Chiruwa AK made by S.K. (Trident symbol on blade, not sure of name). Both are excellent blades and have wood handles.

My question is, what would be the best method, or any method of preserving my wood handles. What kind of oil/wax do I use if any.

I have noticed a little grainy texture on my tarwar handle, where I usually hold it. I want to make sure that the handle does not deteriorate. But I do not need a shiny or smooth handle. I want a handle that will NOT slip out of my hand, and will resist the elements as best as possible. I want to get as much info as possible so I don't destroy/defile my precious tarwar and chiruwa AK.

Any ideas for a newbie to large knife maintanence :-)


-SpookMonkey
 
 
Originally posted by SpookMonkey
Hello all,...........

....But I do not need a shiny or smooth handle.

I want a handle that will NOT slip out of my hand, and will resist the elements as best as possible.

I want to get as much info as possible so I don't destroy/defile my precious tarwar and chiruwa AK.

Any ideas for a newbie to large knife maintanence :-)

-SpookMonkey
Click to expand...

Spook a nicely finished, very smooth, almost glass finish, done with the Tru-Oil will be very secure in your hand.
It seems the glossier the better for grip retention.:)

And the Tru-Oil will bring out the grain of any wood to its utmost potential.
I, like many others, didn't believe this at first, but after listening to ones that were wiser than I about such things I found what they said to be true.
Give it a shot, you'll maybe become another woodchuck.;)

For another wood finishing technique: I have several American Indin Flutes and after reading about a "super glue finish" on knife handles on the Shop Talk Forum I decided to try it on one of my Flutes.
The super glue makes for a super hard finish that's impervious to the elements and I was really surprised at the grip retention the Flute has even in hot and sweaty conditions. You cannot slide your hand down the Flute, but have to lift and then move.
The "super glue finish" is best kept to simple straight handles with little or no carving.
When you first start you will think you've ruined your piece, but sanding smooth between each coat the finish eventually levels out and when finished can be polished to a glass like surface.

Edit:
If for some reason you decide to do this finish be sure to take it outside or to a place with excellent ventilation as the fumes from large amounts of super glue can be/are horribly bad.
The super glue gives off a lot of heat as well while it's curing and before I took my project outside I wound up with a pretty bad headache!:( :rolleyes: :o
 
Another non-glossy, traditional sorta finish that feels good in your hand is 50% turpentine/50% boiled linseed oil. Mix the two liquids well, take it on your finger tips & rub a few drops at a time into the wood. Hang the knife up & let handle dry between coats. After a few coats, initially, the finish can be sanded to level it between coats & finish continue to be worked into the handle until the wood pores are full & the top coat starts building. Additional coats from there just build the top finish deeper. This is a fairly slow drying finish not normally associated with being glossy. It was used on a lot of the early 30/40 Krags, 03's, & etc. The beauty of it is that if it becomes skinned up or scratched, it can be touched up by rubbing more of the mixture into it. Hope this helps.
 
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