Handle finish for a Kitchen knife

[2treks]

Working up a little something for my girls. Shhhh

My question is, what would a good finish be to seal the wood scales on a small kitchen paring knife?

Thank you and Merry Christmas.
CTT

[tomsm44]

Glad you asked this.  I've been wanting to do a kitchen knife for my wife.

[Bladepeek]

Chuck, I think any of the drying oils, Linspeed, Truoil, etc are non toxic once dried. The problem with kitchen knives is that they usually see quite a bit of soaking. If you haven't already picked a set of wood scales (or blocks), I'd get some stabilized wood. You can soak that stuff as much as you want and it doesn't hurt it. If it's done properly, all the pores are already filled with plastic. I have several sources for stabilized wood and unless you're looking for really spectacular grain, it's not very expensive. Let me know if you'd like me to send you a block of maple or walnut. Or, if you want to go shopping, I'll e-mail you the web sites I have where you can pick out the actual piece of wood, shown both sides.

Ron

[Todd Robbins]

I have a small paring knife I made seven years ago that has a curly maple handle.  I applied super glue in several layers and it's still holding up very well. It gets no special treatment from my wife, either.  I've found it soaking in dishwater overnight, and it gets used for everything imaginable, and the cyanoacrylate finish has held up great.  The 15N20 blade didn't like the dishwater soakings too much, though!

[Bladepeek]

I've finally managed to train my wife that you never let go of a sharp knife in the sink. It's made a big difference in how long our knives last and nobody gets cut reaching into a sharp edge that way. She appreciates a sharp edge and has accepted the deal that I will keep them sharp if she doesn't drop them into the dish water or put them in the dish washer.

[2treks]

Well, I used what I had on hand and what I was familiar with. I SOAKED the walnut with CA glue and sanded back smooth. 2-3 coats and she was full. then a few hand rubbed coats of tru-oil.
It looks nice and I will post a pic later today.

I worried most about the water soaking aspect for this knife. I don't think that the wood/knife will contact food enough to worry about any toxic effect. That said, I would still be interested to hear what you guys with experience think is a good finish for a kitchen knife, or if what I did was legit.
Plus I am trying to not use super glue any more than I have to. Stuff messes me up if I use it to often.

I do thank Ron and Todd for the input. It did re-assure me with what I wanted to do.

Now I need to go do one more and make a new handle for my hatchet.

Merry Christmas All.
CTT

[2treks]

Well, My daughter has been bugging me for a knife lately. I want to get her one but think she needs to "practice" first.
So my solution was found one day while walking through the antique store.
I bought 2 "Old Hickory" knives for 2bits each.
Removed the handles and pinned on some new scales.
Nothing fancy but it was a fun little project and now I can let my kiddo "practice" while at the super table, and I can give some advice on cutting technique. Momma get the longer one.
I used some fantastic striped walnut for my kiddo's and some super fantastic crotch walnut for my wifes. Brazing rod pins and smooth-on epoxy to hold it together.
Finish was Several coats of super glue and then tru-oil.
I still need to rub some more finish on and dress the edges,but they got used last night at super. Jessica was all pumped up to show us how she could cut right through that turkey.(...and open her toys, and cut the tags off her other things.)

Thanks for the help and inspiration guys. Especially you Ron.
 

 

 

[Bladepeek]

Nice job Chuck. How old is your daughter? Our granddaughter is 6 now and will be getting one of 3 knives I'm making for the family - pappa bear small utility, momma bear size small utility and baby bear sized same. They will get all 3 at the same time, but Mom and Dad gets to decide when their daughter is ready for hers. I can already picture the look on her face when she gets to help Mom fix dinner with her own knife. Bet your daughter's face lit up just about like what I'm picturing  

[2treks]

Oh she was pretty happy. She has found a reason to go get her knife about 1/2dz times so far.
I am pleased that she is showing some responsibility with it and using it like I showed her. Cutting away from herself.
She will be 11 on Jan 10th.
Thanks again,
CTT
ps. The small knife has curly maple liners. the big knife is one piece.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Those look great Chuck!