trail hawk help (Im new)

[ghostbravo]

I just got my trail hawk in the mail today, I have been reading up on mods for a week now so first thing I did was remove the set screw and sand the handle. Now I don't want to refinish the head without replacing it with a new coat of something to prevent rust. I also want to engrave into my handle after I refinish it. Any suggestions for the new coat of something on the head, and could someone also help with the engraving on the wooden handle (I am a bit lost here).

Thanks ~ghost.

 

[Captain28]

Cold bluing or a forced patina will slow down corrosion, but still need to be oiled. If it's going to be a work 'hawk, any coating you put on will wear off during use...some just take longer than others.

 

[ghostbravo]

thanks for the advice on the head, Its a work hawk so Im just going to let the original paint run its course then. Also I have decided to go with burn marks on the handle, how do I go about this?

 

[C Bryant]

I sanded the handles a bit, then took a propane torch to them. Scorch the whole thing, don't worry about it being too black. After the scorch sand the handle again. This will remove some of the scorching while leaving it the deeper grain where the sandpaper doesn't reach. Leave it as is or stain it from there. I stain mine with min wax wood finish in Colonial Maple.

The heads have had the factory coating sand blasted off, then I soaked them overnight in vinegar for the patina.