Knife handle advice needed

[Riven]

Hi all just making a knife handle out of the handle from a pair of garden lobbers I found in a skip. The wood looked interesting with a nice looking grain and as I sanded and filed the shape it has become a very light colour. So my question is what is the best thing to use for the finish to slightly darken and protect the wood?
Cheers, Riven.

 

[Muddypaws]

Danish oil will slightly darken the wood, and give good protection for the handle. Depending on how smooth the wood is, and how many coats you apply, it should give a satin sheen.

 

[Chainsaw]

Danish oil is my weapon of choice for knife handles. It will simply darken it to the colour it is when wet. If that is not enough and you need it darker then I think you can get coloured danish oil.

Linky to Colron

HTH

 

[Tonyuk]

I use teak oil for my axes, works well.

 

[Chainsaw]

Yep I use boiled linseed on my axe handles and canoe paddles, a bit more of a grippy finish.

 

[saxonaxe]

Teak oil worked well for me on a knife I handled in dead Ivy stem.
I bought a leuku blade with a rat tail tang by Lauri and fitted it with a handle cut from an old Ivy stem.


I chose the Ivy because it had an interesting curve and attractive grain. I was advised by an expert who had studied hard at the University of You Tube that the Ivy handle would fail, but to date, some years later and after many coats of Teak Oil the knife is still in one piece. I use it regularly but confess I don't batton it as I use a hatchet when required.

Nearly finished..


As it is now...The Teak Oil has darkened the wood.

 

[Stew]

University of YouTube - brilliant!

 

[Janne]

Hi all just making a knife handle out of the handle from a pair of garden lobbers I found in a skip. The wood looked interesting with a nice looking grain and as I sanded and filed the shape it has become a very light colour. So my question is what is the best thing to use for the finish to slightly darken and protect the wood?
Cheers, Riven.

I like to use a diluted solution of a water based wood stain of a colour you like on the almost finished handle. One thin layer at a time, let dry, another layer, and so on, with light sanding between, until you almost reach the desired darkness.
Then BLO.

 

[brancho]

An overnight soak in Danish oil will darken the wood.


Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

 

[Navek]

Burn it with a gas torch till it’s as dark as you like then rub down with wire wool . Wipe with some cloth and then clear vanish

 

[Robson Valley]

Wood water is replaced by air in dry wood. That's why most, sap wood in particular, look so pale in service.

If they don't leave the finishing to the customer, the wood shop down my street
finishes all rustic wood furniture with MinWax Tung Oil Protective Finish =
It is satin with 1 coat and water-wet glossy with 4 coats. It darkens the growth ring and heart wood
while leaving all the pale sapwood a pleasant warm color, a little sort of yellow, I'd call it.

I may use paints but if not, all of every on of my wood carvings is finished with TOPF.

 

[Riven]

Thanks for all of your advice guys, I have finally made up my mind and have gone with boiled linseed oil. Still waiting for it to dry and will post pics when finished.
Cheers, Riven.

 

[Riven]

Pic not great but you get the idea.
Riven.

 

[Muddypaws]

Looks pretty good to me!