Wood finishing

[Andy J]

Hello folks, I am finishing a handle on my Fire Steel, one of the many buyers from TMKTC's group buy( Top Man :You_Rock_ )
I am using Ebony, my first ever attempt, other then Spoons etc, and was just asking, what is the best finish? Yatch Varnish? Linseed oil? Mineral Oil? Any thoughts please folks? Many thanks, Andy...

 

[Longstrider]

When I've worked with ebony in the past I've found that the best finish is obtained by simply getting the wood as smooth as possible (1500 grit wet-n-dry does nicely) The grease from your skin as you handle it will then give it a wonderful depth of shine better than probably any commercial product would do. You can "cheat" and accelerate the polishing effect a little by rubbing in some of the grease from the skin at the corner of your nose if you want to as well.
The trick is to get it REALLY smooth before you add any polish or grease at all.

 

[jojo]

Longstrider is spot on for Ebony. Don't use varnish It's ok on boats (just) and doors and such...

 

[bent-stick]

Everything that's been said and burnish it with a spare bit of ebony and a low residue oil.Olive if you are nervous about contaminating food or 3-in-1 or gunstock oil otherwise. Before any finish let the wood see the air. You may notice that when first cut it is brown and goes darker as it oxidises.

I'm doing a sghian dhub in ebony. A long term project...for when I have nothing else to do As if....

 

[jerv]

you guys got any nice paleo burnishes for birch ash hazel etc?

 

[Andy J]

Hey, thanks guys, as always the answers are on here! Good to note about the oxidizing, have smoothed the piece fairly well, I think, and now down to using wire wool. Will post in the near future on how it's progressing, Thanks again everyone :You_Rock_ , Andy

 

[Stan Pinn]

Hi there,
I just just thought I would add to your thread. You may have already finished your project. Always try and use products found in nature as they are the simplist to use and provide a lovely finish. Once you have the wood to the desired standard of sanding, work beeswax into the wood with wire wool. Polish off the excess with a lint free cloth and re-apply this time with your fingures. Again polish off with another clean cloth. repeat as required. Also after the wood has aged, you car rub it down with wire wool repeat the process and it will look good as new. It really brings out the colour of and wood.
Stan

 

[Andy J]

Stan, thanks for taking the time to reply! In fact thanks to all... Beeswaz eh? Will definately try this method. This little project is now sanded quite well, using wire wool, so I think it's ok. Going to get some wax, hopefully tomorow( Sunday),. once it's finished, I'll try and post some pictures. Thanks again, Andy..