Finishing on Helle knife shafts

[andyn]

Hi all,

I was recently given a Helle Trofe knife as a present and I must say I am most impressed with the blade.

However I am a little concerned with the finish on the shaft as it doesnt seem to be sealed on treated in anyway and if iwas to get wet or dirty I think it would damage quite easily.

I was also thinking it would be worth sanding down a little with a finer grade paper?

My question is....Is it worth sealing the shaft and, if so, what with?

 

[Bagheera]

Hello,

Two words Danish Oil just finish the handle with progressively finer waterproof paper, finish by superfine like 2000 grit waterproof or 0000 steelwool.

Then get yourself an small high glass jar with olives, eat the olives keeping the bottle, clean it inside dry, make an rectangle cutout in the closing lid where your Helle's blade just fits through and it can be sealed effectively with some duct tape.
Get a 250 ml (about 7.5 flask ounces?) can with Danish Oil, put Handle in jar fill with Danish Oil slip over closing lid close and tape shut the opening between knife blade and closing lid and leave for 24 hours checking sometimes to see if the whole handle is still covered with Danish Oil.

Go to living room pour yourself a martini and put an olive in


After 24 hours remove lid with taped blade still attached to it, let excess oil drip in glass jar, don't waist anything, rubbing over handle from top to bottom removes last bit of oil , let it drip in jar (Dutch way, saves money )
Now rub the grip dry with lint free piece of cloth and let dry for some time, rubbing now and then to give it that satin smooth oil finish as end result.

Good luck, my Helle Eggen came out superbly finished with a nice somewhat darker finish of the Masur curly birch handle.

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

 

[andyn]

Thanks very much for the advice....Will get off down the DIY store for some goodies this weekend.

I take it that the oil won't damage the reindeer antler at all?

 

[Treb]

The Helle Trofe, very nice knive. I have one too, welcome to the club.

 

[Squidders]

Both my Harding and Eggen both came well finished out of the box... errr... tube.

 

[andyn]

The finish certainly isn't poor, just not a smooth as it could be.

 

[andyn]

Soaking as we speak