What finish to use on ironwood

[Grapevine]

I have a small fixed blade custom with ironwood slabs on the handle. It came in with perfect fit. Then when last summer hit, the difference in the high humidity of the Northeast versus where the wood had been previously made the ironwood swell a bit, and it's not shrinking back during this dry winter. The slabs now don't line up smoothly with the top and bottom of the handle's tang. It's fractional, but I can feel it.

It's not really worth sending back to the maker for a fix. I can sand it down myself. My question is after the sanding, what do I apply to the wood to get its nice luster coat back? I tested just sanding a small slab of ironwood I have lying around and it definitely needs something, otherwise it's just dull and absorbs water.

 

[Pinoy Knife]

You may Try "Tung Oil" is is Used on Gun stock's , it takes a bit of work to get it in but is usually ok for most wood
















http://www.pinoyknife.com

 

[Mike Hull]

I use Watco Natural, as per the instructions. Then Buff, followed by a coat of carnauba wax.

 

[Grapevine]

Thanks for the quick responses, gentlemen. Where may this one have the best chance of finding Tung oil or Watco Natural? Hardware store, Home Depot? Gun supply stores don't exist in New York city.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Jens Anzo recommends that ironwood be hand sanded to 1200 then set in Danish Oil for 24 hours. Let dry and then polish. Finish with Canuba Wax.

 

[A. G. Russell]

The best I have seen is several coats of super glue. You need to talk to "Mr. Ironwood" himself, Sandy Tudor, sandy cuts and sells more ironwood than everybody else put together and must use many gallons of finish for the slabs that he sells.

I do not think that he has e-mail but the last phone number I had for him is 520-647-7739

best of luck, A. G.