Suggestions on glossy finish on knife handle, CA glue or?

[Burl Source]

EDIT: I went back to my notes and double checked his instructions.

This is a quote from Russ;
"The finishing sequence that I use
is pretty straight forward....just hand sand through at least
1500X then apply a modest coat of tung oil...the undiluted
stuff..rub it in with your fingers....give it a little time to soak
in.....then wipe off the excess (before it gets tacky).

Let it dry....reapply as prefered...then buff with a strip of towell
with buffing compound rubbed in.......If theres a most important
part to this...it's hand finishing (no buffers). "

[pkjames]

thanks for the tip mark! never knew that gidgee has the smearing syndrome
sad that I saw this after i put a few coats of shellac, but i will definitely put your (Russ) instruction into my little finishing notes

Cheers,
James

EDIT: I went back to my notes and double checked his instructions.

This is a quote from Russ;
"The finishing sequence that I use
is pretty straight forward....just hand sand through at least
1500X then apply a modest coat of tung oil...the undiluted
stuff..rub it in with your fingers....give it a little time to soak
in.....then wipe off the excess (before it gets tacky).

Let it dry....reapply as prefered...then buff with a strip of towell
with buffing compound rubbed in.......If theres a most important
part to this...it's hand finishing (no buffers). "

[pkjames]

here is what it looks like after 5 coat of shellac, buffing and waxing.
Acceptable but still not as shiny as i expect, i think the buffing wasn't long enough. Oh well, there is always another knife to rehandle!

Will post a pic after installation.



-James

[pkjames]

so, here is the finished job!




1st and 2nd attempt!

[jai]

*** happened to that deba the edge lookd wack as ****

[keithsaltydog]

Nice handles James

[WillC]

Gidgee acts a little bit different than other woods.
If you power buff it the grain and any figure is prone to smearing.

The best finish I have seen on Gidgee was by Knife maker Russ Andrews.
He sands the wood beyond 1000 grit.
Then with a few drops of Tung or Danish oil rubs it into the wood.
Wipe off all excess oil between coats. Repeat until it looks good.
Then apply paste wax like you are polishing a pair of shoes.
Let sit about 30 minutes then hand buff with an old towel.
Then apply a couple more coats of wax.

This repeated many many times is like french polishing isn't it?

Micromesh is another way to get a high- ish shine in something without buffing, not as shiny as polishing like this but a bit easier and quicker.

Looks great btw

[pkjames]

thanks very much guys.

the blade of the debas do look a bit wack because they were purchased from yahoo jp in poor condition, the akoi has uneven and a bit twisted spine, can't complain for $60.... I just use them to learn my sharpening as well as being toying with handles.

this is a third attempt on an Aritsugu nakiri, still Mallee burl with gidgee