Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

This area is for discussions that do not fit into the formal firearms discussions of the website. Common sense and non-controversial contributions are expected. Certain topics are forbidden. See the forum rules for more details.

Moderators: Chuck, Mustang380gal, Coordinators, Moderators

Post Reply
rimfireOH
OFCC Member
OFCC Member
Posts: 420
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:49 am
Location: NE Ohio

Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by rimfireOH »

Does the forum's collective wisdom and experience have any suggestions on finishes for homemade knife handles? I've made several over the years in woods ranging from osage orange to teak to ebony to mesquite and birdseye maple. I've used tung oil, teak oil, multiple coats of thinned marine/spar varnish and etc. Yeah, I could google an answer, but I want to hear from you.

The current project nearing completion has a mesquite handle and I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for the finish. I don't want there to be enough surface buildup that dings and scratches are hugely heartbreaking -- this knife is to be a user, not for the display case.

I'm making a forend replacement (walnut) for a .410 shotgun and picked up some gunstock finish (Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil) that I'm tempted to try on this knife project.

(Did we used to have a knife/blade/edge sub-forum here? I thought we did, but couldn't find it . . .)
Cruiser
OFCC Member
OFCC Member
Posts: 10911
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:41 pm
Location: Mercer County, Ohio - what is yours?

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by Cruiser »

On gun stocks and knife handles I prefer the no finish method of some type of oil. (Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil) is one, I prefer Boiled Linseed oil myself. there are many others. You never have to worry about chipping.
Abandon ye all HOPE!
Face
Posts: 513
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:10 pm

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by Face »

It's been years since I made any, I've used Tung oil. It was state of the art way back when. Some of the newer finishes are probably remarkable.

I heard one that I've never tried, it was rubbing one of the Cyanoacrylate adhesives into the surface. Never tried it, but on something small, it might be great. Or not.

I still have some scales... somewhere of some various woods. I moved on to all synthetics, mainly micarta.
I've used mesquite, if I remember, it really stinks when sanding.
Totally useless, waste of space, irrelevant, sig.
rimfireOH
OFCC Member
OFCC Member
Posts: 420
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:49 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by rimfireOH »

Cruiser wrote:On gun stocks and knife handles I prefer the no finish method of some type of oil. (Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil) is one, I prefer Boiled Linseed oil myself. there are many others. You never have to worry about chipping.
Thanks for the suggestion. According to this article, True-Oil is mostly linseed oil anyway, so I think I'll start with that. And will try to remember to post photos when I'm done.
User avatar
AlanM
Posts: 9435
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:38 am
Location: Was Stow, OH now Charlottesville, VA

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by AlanM »

I've used Cyanoacrylate on pens that I turned with excellent results.
It soaks into the wood and will polish up to an excellent smooth surface that is nearly indestructible.
AlanM
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men. - RAH
Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order.
If you aren't part of the solution, then you obviously weren't properly dissolved.
User avatar
Mr. Glock
OFCC Patron Member
OFCC Patron Member
Posts: 8965
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:20 pm
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by Mr. Glock »

Boiled Lindseed Oil is great for axe handles, and some 80 grit sandpaper gives a grip to the surface.

I’ve heard Danish Oil is a good choice too but no experience with that one. Want to try it someday.

The negative on Tru-Oil for this application is that it slicks up with multiple applications. Nice for a wood gun stock, not so good for a wet knife handle.
OFCC Patron, GOA, SAF, YouTube 2A Patreon, NRA Benefactor Life & Hot Stove League Member
User avatar
WY_Not
OFCC Patron Member
OFCC Patron Member
Posts: 2435
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 10:15 pm
Location: Miami County, OH
Contact:

Re: Suggest a finish for homemade knife handle

Post by WY_Not »

Depends on the knife and its intended purpose. LOTS of knives (high and low end) that have polished micarta or G10 scales. They are great for most cutting chores but not so much for stabby tasks unless there is something to prevent your hand from sliding forward.
Mr. Glock wrote:Boiled Lindseed Oil is great for axe handles, and some 80 grit sandpaper gives a grip to the surface.

I’ve heard Danish Oil is a good choice too but no experience with that one. Want to try it someday.

The negative on Tru-Oil for this application is that it slicks up with multiple applications. Nice for a wood gun stock, not so good for a wet knife handle.
Learn how Project Appleseed is supporting freedom through Marksmanship and Heritage clinics.
Samuel Adams wrote:If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.
Post Reply