What Finish

[Baldhead]

I have made some earings and a pendant out of mahogany and maple, what sort of finish can I apply? I was thinking of some sort of oil, what sort I don't know or whether oil can be applied at all!

BH

 

[Steve Maskery]

A hardwax oil is easy and gives a nice satin sheen to wood.
Osmo is probably the best known and costs about £20 for 750ml
Chestnut also do one, in smaller quantities, too, and there are other brands too.
2 coats, little smell, no special kit, just a warm, clean dry, ventilated room.

Alternatively, a few coats of blonde shellac would work well.
S

 

[AndyT]

+1 but also a reminder that Tru-oil (as sold for finishing gun stocks) is another good option. Also excellent for tool handles.

 

[marcros]

I prefer the tru-oil of the two on dark timbers, but it does yellow ash and sycamore quite badly. The Chestnut hard wax oil didnt seem to do so anything like as much, although there was a slight colour change IIRC, slightly amber

 

[Baldhead]

Thanks guys, Chestnut hardwax oil ordered.

BH

 

[marcros]

When you get it, decant it into 2 or 3 smaller bottles or it can go gloopy over time. That way you are only exposing half or a third to the air when you open the bottle each time.