What to use for cocobolo finishing...

[TheCivilman]

Hi guys, I have just about completed my first knife. I have done all work myself from start to finish including heat treat. Not perfect of course but I kinda like it anyway. All that remains is the sheath and the scale finishing. The scale material I have chosen is cocobolo and I have sanded to a 600 grit and a slight polish also. It now has a very smooth finish and does not look very porous so what would be the best way to finish/protect it? and what is the best way to apply it to not cover the tang? Any suggestions are welcome... Thanks much, krg

 

[Will Leavitt]

Carnuba based waxes work well. If you don't have pure carnuba (which has to be burned into the wood with a buffing wheel) use some quality car wax.

 

[Raymond Richard]

Johnson's and Minwax paste wax will also work fine.

 

[rifon2]

Carnuba based waxes work well. If you don't have pure carnuba (which has to be burned into the wood with a buffing wheel) use some quality car wax.

Johnson's and Minwax paste wax will also work fine.

What do you guys think about using tung oil on the cocobolo?

 

[johnnym]

I have used teak oil on cocobolo with good success.

-John

 

[Will Leavitt]

Never used tung oil on cocobolo, my thinking it being such an oily wood to begin with.....

 

[Luke Sheridan]

tung oil doesn't do anything to cocobolo, tung oil finish will build up a surface layer with all the additives, teak oil does moderately better, I usually just wax it.

 

[TheCivilman]

Thanks for the input... I guess I'll try wax.

 

[Greg Obach]

i just buff the heck out of it with the white compound... .. seems to be good


Greg

 

[rifon2]

Thanks for the input re: tung oil.

Greatly appreciated.

 

[Steve Hayden]

Teak oil was specially developed for use with the rosewoods and other oily woods. Cocobolo is a rosewood.