What wood finish do the kamis use?

[davidf99]

This is a more general version of a recent question by another poster, but I didn't want to hijack his thread.

I'm thinking of the high quality satisal handles on many of the HI khukuris, where the wood is well polished and practically glows.

My question is, what kind of finish the kamis use on those handles?

This would be good to know when refinishing a handle or putting on additional protective coatings, since some coating materials are fussy about what they will stick to, and it isn't always convenient to completely remove a previous coating.

Does anybody here know the answer?

 

[Gehazi]

well this is a good question because the woodgrain is important for me on any khuk fitted as such, and I too have noticed some pretty stunning polish on these satisal, my guess is BLO or PTO ( boiled linseed or pure tung)

 

[Karda]

That's an easy question. If there is any finish on them at all it is usually wax from the buffing step. There is usually no other finishing done.