Wood Waxes Revisited?

[J. Keeton]

I've been bladeforums google searching for a good paste wax to use on wood handle materials (Iron Wood, Osage Orange, Cocobolo, etc). I will not be using a buffer and relying on a high grit sand paper finish. Do yall have any strong preferences for 2019? Also do yall use wax on micarta too?

These are the ones I'm looking at currently:

Briwax (Clear)
https://www.amazon.com/Briwax-Furni...=sr_1_3?keywords=briwax&qid=1568849816&sr=8-3

Mothers 05500 California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax Paste - 12 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Cali...r_1_3?keywords=carnauba&qid=1568850758&sr=8-3

Daddy Van's All Natural Unscented Beeswax Furniture Polish
https://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Vans-U...words=Carnauba+bEESWAX&qid=1568852024&sr=8-25

Birchwood Casey Gun Stock Wax:
https://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey-Gun-Stock-Wax/dp/B000LC9VMK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Birchwood+Casey's+Gunstock+Wax&qid=1568850619&sr=8-1

Cheers!

 

[Hengelo_77]

Just finish to a high grit, those woods are oily, no wax needed.
Micromesh to 12.000 and you'll be amazed

 

[allenkey]

I really like birchwood casey's gun stock wax. It goes on similar to an oil and doesn't really leave a hazy look - very light hand buffing is all that's needed when dry. It seems to match that satin 'glow' you can get on woods with linseed oil/danish oil built up a little. I like rubbing it in with a rag until it's mostly dry myself.

I can't say for longevity though but I like it so far. Never tried it on Micarta but maybe I will soon.

 

[J. Hoffman]

This is what Van Barnett and Delana use. That's good enough for me.
https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alley-Wax-Clear-Paste-x/dp/B0081N6KHK

 

[Sam Dean]

My favorite is Kerf's Wood Cream: http://www.kerfs.com/store.htm

I use it on wood products that touch food, like salad bowls, cutting boards, serving spoons, etc... Also rub it on blades & wood handles on occasion. Does great on ironwood & cocobolo (and the like).

Osage Orange is really pourous wood. I like to use shellac as a sanding sealer so it doesn't get the dirty grey look.

 

[Horsewright]

I'm big on the Mother's car wax with the carnuba. Every knife that leaves this outfit gets 2 coats bow to stern. Think about what a carwax is designed to do. The shows we do can get gritty. Often on dirt with wind and horses running around. Wipe em down and they are pristine.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpY89Ow4norf6K_Yj3xSmXQ

 

[Jason Volkert]

the Mother's car wax with the carnuba

I like the Mothers Carnuba too.

 

[J. Keeton]

Cool deal, I think I'll get some mothers and try it out. Stuff is pretty economical. thanks for the help.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I’m another vote for Automotive waxes, one can of Rain Dance lasted over a decade! Rubbing two coats or more on handles and polishing up the blades. Removes finger prints and does a great job of protecting Carbon steel Damascus blades!

 

[Cushing H.]

I have a slightly different, but strongly related question. Many of the exotics are known to be sensitizers to allergic reactions. We know the dust is nasty, but what about plain old hand contact to the finished handle? I had someone at woodsmith relate to me that a worker there had a reaction after just touching kingwood. Is there any readon / consideration to using a wax on the handle to create a buffer between the handle material and a users hand?

 

[Horsewright]

I've used lots of cocobolo over the years. I have never had any such feedback from any customers. I would think eventually the wax would wear off?

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I am sensitized to Cocobolo some 15 years ago and can’t be around the dust at all. Still I’ve never heard of the wood itself causing someone a reaction..

 

[Hengelo_77]

it's the dust, not the wood

 

[Cushing H.]

it's the dust, not the wood

That is what i have always heard ... i was surprised to hear the guy relate a reaction by just touching the wood. Ill go with the dust concern until i hear otherwise

 

[Horsewright]

I've been pretty lucky but I always wear long sleeves when working coco, a hat, respirator, goggles and gloves and then shower shortly thereafter. They say its not if but when with this stuff and so far......course I'm sitting here getting all itchy thinking about it. But man what a great knife handle. Its just cool:

And sells!

 

[J. Keeton]

Horsewright J Jason Volkert I got some of that Mother’s California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax and it really does apply to my knives nicely! Seems to shine up the wood too with much hand buffing. I also applied it to the blade and spine as a corrosion deterrent.

I was reading up some more on it and saw that it contains some polishing abrasives. Do yall think these abrasives pose any issues long term?

 

[Horsewright]

Horsewright J Jason Volkert I got some of that Mother’s California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax and it really does apply to my knives nicely! Seems to shine up the wood too with much hand buffing. I also applied it to the blade and spine as a corrosion deterrent.

I was reading up some more on it and saw that it contains some polishing abrasives. Do yall think these abrasives pose any issues long term?

Not at all. Think of them as your final polish. They are finer than anything you've already done. Comes back to whats the wax's purpose?

 

[Jason Volkert]

I've never had or heard of any long term problems

 

[J. Keeton]

Thanks guys, It really does go on nice. And with the amount that comes in the tub... I think it will last me a decade.

 

[cudgee]

I've been pretty lucky but I always wear long sleeves when working coco, a hat, respirator, goggles and gloves and then shower shortly thereafter. They say its not if but when with this stuff and so far......course I'm sitting here getting all itchy thinking about it. But man what a great knife handle. Its just cool:

And sells!

Mate they are beautiful handles, especially the top two. They are probably the nicest handles i have seen. Well done, you do fantastic work.