jake cleland 704 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 hi, i'm about to start on a dirk for a customer, and was intending to make it out of london plane, as he wants a carved sheath of elaborate construction, and i need something that will carve cleanly and have a very strong glue joint from a relatively small contact area. However, plane is much softer than my usual maccassar ebony, and i was wondering how to toughen up the finished surfaces. i was thinking about linseed oil, but the piece is to be stained after carving, and i wondered if this would affect the application. any suggestions would be much appreciated, cheers, jake. Jake Cleland - Skye Knives www.knifemaker.co.uk "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Ouellette 78 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 You can soak it in wood hardener. Bob O "When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me. Oh, Lord, raise me to Thy right hand and count me among Thy saints." My Website Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Madigan 20 Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 Linseed oil on its own will soak in a little, but without mineral spirits or denatured alchohol it probaly wont dry. I woulndt recommend it for handles or hard wearing parts. Like bob said, wood hardener or epoxy consolidant will work on softer woods. It is meant for restoring rotted wood, so it might not penetrate all the way through unless the material is porous enough. At the least it will harden the surface. I dont' know how it will look stained. You might want to epoxy the whole handle in a vacuum or a heat box. Link to post Share on other sites
jake cleland 704 Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 Linseed oil on its own will soak in a little, but without mineral spirits or denatured alchohol it probaly wont dry. I woulndt recommend it for handles or hard wearing parts. Like bob said, wood hardener or epoxy consolidant will work on softer woods. It is meant for restoring rotted wood, so it might not penetrate all the way through unless the material is porous enough. At the least it will harden the surface. I dont' know how it will look stained. You might want to epoxy the whole handle in a vacuum or a heat box. thanks. this piece is now finished and delivered- i ended up using shellac over the stain and finishing it with wax - you can see the results in show and tell under 'highland dirk'. Jake Cleland - Skye Knives www.knifemaker.co.uk "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Link to post Share on other sites
B Finnigan 8 Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 (edited) You can soak it in wood hardener. Can you get that without a prescription? Edited July 20, 2006 by B Finnigan Everything I need to know I learned from the people trapped in my basement. I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message. Link to post Share on other sites
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