Saw handle finish ?

[Blister]

I am going to restore the handle on the Disston saw

Is danish oil or Tung oil best or something else

Thanks

:wink:

 

[marcros]

before Jimi suggests it I will get in there first- what about tru-oil?

 

[TobyC]

Pure Tung oil, Tru-Oil, or Minwax Antique Oil Finish, are all great for saw handles, wax them with Johnson's Paste Wax when you're done.

Toby

P.S. Someone will jump in here and remind us all about shellac being the traditional finish.

 

[jhwbigley]

P.S. Someone will jump in here and remind us all about shellac being the traditional finish.

And Boiled Linseed oil :lol:

JH

 

[Cheshirechappie]

If memory serves, the original manufacturer's finish was something called 'Lacquer', which might be shellac based, or some sort of varnish.

For what it's worth, I finished the last saw handle I made with three coats of Danish oil, allowed to cure for a week and then buffed with a soft cloth. The result still has a nice 'wood' feel, and a subtle sheen. I've tried polyurethane varnish in the past, and it feels like a sort of plastic coat on the wood - not as pleasant at all. Unless you want absolute authenticity, I'd definitely go for an oil-based finish.

 

[dunbarhamlin]

Ha. Yep. Users that don't have a beatle spit finish get stripped and redone. Expect I'm just used to the feel so prefer it.

 

[jimi43]

before Jimi suggests it I will get in there first- what about tru-oil?

Yup...there is nothing quite like it...is there Douglas!?

Jim

 

[Harbo]

I use Danish or Tung then wax.
Feels nice and easy to replenish.

Rod

 

[bugbear]

If memory serves, the original manufacturer's finish was something called 'Lacquer', which might be shellac based, or some sort of varnish.

For what it's worth, I finished the last saw handle I made with three coats of Danish oil, allowed to cure for a week and then buffed with a soft cloth. The result still has a nice 'wood' feel, and a subtle sheen. I've tried polyurethane varnish in the past, and it feels like a sort of plastic coat on the wood - not as pleasant at all. Unless you want absolute authenticity, I'd definitely go for an oil-based finish.

Or an oil-varnish mix - I've had good results on tool handles with both of Danish Oil and Liberon's "Finishing Oil".

BugBear

 

[pedder]

Depends on the wood. For beech and fruit woods I like BLO or TruOil (dries faster than BLO) the best. A little Carbauba wax on top if you want it glossy.

Cheers
Pedder