First try at handle, and some questions!

[SveinD]

Well, this is the first time I've tried anything like this. No forging, that will be for the future  

Bought myself a block of Palisander/Rosewood and a 3" knife blank at a historical site in Denmark this summer.
Steel forged from an old plow, and came shaving sharp  
Sat down last weekend and wettled it to shape (Dang that is some hard wood!)
Almost finished, only sanding, oil/finish and gluing the steel left..

So I'm wondering, what would you guys recommend to bring out the grain in the wood?
Was thinking a blend of Linen Oil and Beeswax.

Also thought of buying some glue made from some Indian Beetle shells, but if you'd recommend anything else, I'm all ears!

Here is a pic of the knife so far:
 
 First Knife test  by  shdyrnes , on Flickr

Thanks for any tip or info!
-SveinD-

[DANA HOLMAN]

SveinD
I use epoxy to glue the handle on and I use truoil on the handles I have never stained the wood i like it natural
hope this helps
most of us pin the handles with brass or stainless or nickelsilver
Dana

[SveinD]

Thanks Dana!
Some pins would look nice, I'll check this weekend for any retailers around that might carry some!
I think Truoil goes by some other name here in Norway, but I'll se what I can do.
I'll be sure to post some pics when the work is complete though.

[KHALVERSON]

svein
5-6 coats of super glue  sand with 400 grit paper and buffed with a soft cloth should make the grain really show up nice and you will have a very durable finish
kevin

[Ray Hammond]

Svein I get my pin material at ACE Hardware- a more old fashioned hardware store. I'm sure you don't have ACE Hardware- so perhaps a model store- guys who do railroad modeling use that kind of steel rod for all kinds of things on their layouts for their tracks.

They have it at ACE in with some sheet copper, some copper rod, aluminum, and steel. You could also use tubing...but rod works better aesthetically.

about 1/8th inch will work great.

[sticshooter]

I use nails sometimes. Tippit told me about that and they work great and are cheap.<><

[OkKeith]

Svein,

For a deep, old style finish; mix 2 parts bee's wax, 2 parts Linseed Oil and 1 part pure mineral spirits.

I like to warm the Linseed oil and get the Bee's Wax fairly soft, then combine the three quickly. Get it all mixed-up evenly and keep it in an air tight container. You can adjust the "stiffness" of the paste by varying the mineral spirits, it evaporates eventually anyway. I apply it with a soft, cotton cloth.

It makes a great finish for wood that can be touched up easily. For the first coat, warm the wood to open the grain a little. Apply liberaly and let it harden some. Then wipe off the excess and let dry. I like two or three coats. You can buff up the shine or buff to a satin finish.

I always carry a small tin of the paste to keep my self-bows and laminated wood bows weather-tight.

Looking forward to seeing your finished knife.

OkKeith

[nockhunter]

I use a lot of tung oil. I warm up the wood and apply the oil. Let dry for a day or so, buff with some 0000 steel wool and then apply 4-5 more coats. Then I buff with a loose muslin wheel. Be carefull with the speed with a loose wheel. It could grab the knife and throw it.

Mike

[David Ricke]

Rosewood has a lot of oil in it allready. Any of the above will give good results. Melted Bees wax and lemon oil will do very well also. Dip it while it is hot.  Good Luck  Knifemaker

[Steve Nuckels]

I can't add anything to the advice given!  Please post a photo of the finished project!

Steve
-------
Potomac Forge

[nockhunter]

Here are some I've made using tung oil. The small one is King wood, the two in the middle are cocobolo, and the one on the right is some local walnut. All lightly buffed with a loose wheel. The picture does not show how bright they are in person.

   

Mike

[TheBigRedArcher]

Nock:

Tung oil? do you think it will work on a handle combo of african blackwood and pecan? What do you mean by heat up the handle wood... Set it in the sun?

TBRA

[SveinD]

I haven't had time to do the handle yet, been busy building a playhouse for the kids at my kindergarten and finishing a 52" dual-shelf kids bow with boo arrows for them as well!

But I'll get some pics posted when I finish      

Looks like I'll go for thinned linenseed oil and beeswax though!
And thanks to you all for the good info  

But first, a week on the beach in Tenerife    :p

[nockhunter]

The Homer Formbys tung oil finish is what I use. To heat the wood, use a hair dryier or heat gun on low. You don't heed to put too much heat into the wood, just enought to open up the grain a little. I also heat between coats. I think tung oil will on African black wood and pecan, it won't hurt the wood.

Mike