Quick check...opinions on finish

Kalindras

Kalindras

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
933
Hey, guys/gals/other/Vampire Gerbil!

I'm working on a paring knife for my mom for Yule, and I'm putting some Tigerwood Scales on it. I was fiddling around on some scrap last night, trying to decide how to seal it so it will be dishwasher safe. I don't really have the time to do a Superglue finish on (and build up enough layers to make it look good), so I was tinkering around with just putting a layer of epoxy on it. On my test swatch, it's coming out beautifully, so far. Deep, crystal clear finish that makes the wood just amazing. Tonight I'll be buffing it, and we'll see what happens at that stage.

So far, the only down sides to it I've noticed are the added thickness, and the tendency for drips. Both of these, however, are points I can work around. What I'm wondering from the folks who've been doing this longer than me is this: Is this a good way to finish wood? I mean, it's not going to self-destruct in two months or anything? It won't be some horrible contact-toxin or anything, right? What are some possible problems I may encounter? Thoughts, anyone?

If this works out, it looks like it might be an easier way to get a Superglue finish, with a lot less effort...I'll keep you posted, and see if I can't get a few pics out when it's finished.

Thanks in advance, everybody!



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One little nuclear holocaust can REALLY hose your bowling average...
 
I use penetrating epoxy on wood handles. This stuff is intended to for marine use on rotten wood to harden and seal it. It's like water and you wipe it on with a scrap of cloth. The first couple of coats soak right in and you can actually see it being absorbed by the wood. Later coats stay on the surface. I usually put on 6 or 8 coats, one each morning and evening for a few days. Each coat is thin and I sand lightly with 600 grit paper between coats. The last coat is lightly buffed to bring out the shine.

I think this penetrating epoxy is much better than super glue because it does not give the wood that thick "plastic" look I've seen so often with super glue.

I just finished a set of steak knives with curly maple handles and used this epoxy technique on them. If anyone who would like to see a pic, just drop me an e-mail at IDRT2@AOL.COM.

Happy Holidays!

Carl
 
P.S. I'd never put any wood handled knife in a dish washer, no matter how well it's sealed.
 
The dishwasher will take the edge off of you blade too. The heat from the water will also loosen the epoxy bond that holds the handles on. I don't recommend it.

Barry
Jones Knives
 
Thanks for the tips, guys!

Yeah, I don't put wood-handled stuff (or any good pieces) into a dishwasher. But this is my mom. Rather than looking at this piece and saying, "Wow, what a beautiful knife! I should put this thing in a case!" she'll look at this and say, "See this knife? My son made this for me!"

She'll use it every day, which is good, but she won't listen to me when I explain to her that she shouldn't put this in the fridge, the dishwasher, or any weird place. It's like trying to explain it to a wall. I love her, but she's almost as hard-headed as I am!

Oh, well. I'll let y'all know how it comes out! Thanks again!


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One little nuclear holocaust can REALLY hose your bowling average...
 
I got the penetrating epoxy from

Smith & Co
5100 Channel Ave
Richmond, CA 94804

1-510-237-6842

Ask for fast formula clear penetrating epoxy. I think it cost $31 for a two-pint kit, but I'm not sure.
 
You might try using a ordinary epoxy(not five minute kind) and thinning it with lacquer thinner to a varnish consistency. You can put on several penetrating THIN coats this way, and rubb back with four ought steel wool for a very nice finish. This would certainly be cheaper than $31 a pint! and on hand already. this is a gun stock finishing kink.
 
Use Salad Bowl finish. It is FDA approved for use around food, and completely water proof. I used it on a paring knife for my Mom and it has survived the dishwasher. I think I told her not to put it in, but as far as I know it goes in there a lot.Its a completely clear finish so it won't darken or ruin the natural looks of your wood either. You can get it at www.woodcraft.com

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Fox, the $31 was for TWO pints, a pint of resin and a pint of activator. That is enough for at least 30 knives. At a buck a knife, I don't think it's overly expensive. I like it because it is specifically designed to penetrate, harden, and seal wood. Sort of a poor man's wood stabilizer.

On the other hand, the suggestions offered by you and others here are interesting and I may try them. That's part of the fun of this forum. I pick up ideas I'd never have thought of otherwise. Thanks to all of you folks who participate.

Carl
 
well im here to throw a monkeywrench into all of your ideas.....for a kitchen knife.. use a stub tang....use micarta....solder nickel or stainless guard and epoxy and pin knife handle on.....otherwise.....water will get in....no mater what you do....

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
In the December issue of Wood magazine they had an article on wood finishes, as far as water penetration to the wood is concerned. The best after 14 days was 2-part epoxy at 88% I have been using Thompson's Water Seal 1st and then put on the final finish. Thanks for the tip on thinning the epoxy. I too have trouble with the superglue.
 
Thanks, everyone, for your input, your suggestions, and so forth! I found the fatal snag in this, though. When you got to buffing that epoxy...it looked like s**t. (Do you really have to edit out spit? Anyway...)

I think it was just that the epoxy was too soft to take the buffing, and was just ablating and taking big scratches. Oh, well. Wound up just buffing the scales to a beautiful gloss with white rouge, and hammering it into her head that this was NOT a dishwasher knife. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, I was not able to either a) wait until XMas day, or b) get a pic of it. Maybe someday...

Thanks again to everybody who pitched in on this one!


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One little nuclear holocaust can REALLY hose your bowling average...
 
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