New sgian in the works....suggestions?

[Kerr the Walker]

Many thanks for the input. Just what I needed to get the ol brain workin again. I'm starting to picture each of the suggestions in my head and I must say....I'm going to need to get some more rosewood. I wanna try them all!

[ehiker]

I'd be somewhat cautious about useing an oil finish on rosewood. Try it on a test sample first to make sure it doesn't darken the wood up too much and actually hide the figure.

You might want to consider a shellac finish, instead. Or maybe just a matte wipe-on poly finish (or a semi-gloss wipe-on poly that you then rub down with a green nylon pad so as to remove the shine). Either of those should give you adequate protection (it is just a sgian dubh; not like you're going to be setting a drink on it or anything) without too much darkening of the wood.

The shellac has the added benefit of being reversable (or easily repairable).

Just something to consider from a woodworker's point of view...

Cheers,

[Kerr the Walker]

I've been using bee's wax. It's pretty quick and does a reasonable job of giving the wood a bit of lustre without changing the color of the wood too much. Apply it to the wood, let it sit for a bit, the buff with a piece of wool (I use an old hiking sock that lost its partner). It does require re-applying from time to time, but it's pretty easy to touch up.

I'd be somewhat cautious about useing an oil finish on rosewood. Try it on a test sample first to make sure it doesn't darken the wood up too much and actually hide the figure.

You might want to consider a shellac finish, instead. Or maybe just a matte wipe-on poly finish (or a semi-gloss wipe-on poly that you then rub down with a green nylon pad so as to remove the shine). Either of those should give you adequate protection (it is just a sgian dubh; not like you're going to be setting a drink on it or anything) without too much darkening of the wood.

The shellac has the added benefit of being reversable (or easily repairable).

Just something to consider from a woodworker's point of view...

Cheers,

[ender103601]

i don't know too much about waxes and shellacs but i've used tung oil for mahogony and maple necks on my guitars. rosewood can have a nice shine to it if all you do is fine sand paper, 00000 steelwool, and then buff. a little orange oil is all it really needs, at least for fretboards.

[ShaunMaxwell]

I would go with the Damascus bladee as well...