Oldnretired
Well-Known Member
Hello all. I was doing some research awhile back on application of this wax and discovered some interesting thoughts on a violin makers/restorers forum. Instead of an hour between coats as suggested by the manufacturer, they suggested 12 to 24 hours on their forum. The thought being to wait until you can't smell any solvent present. The manufacturer says to buff off excess wax after an hour or so. The concensus on that forum is that the objective is to put wax on not buff it off. The less solvent present, the more wax stays on the object being waxed. They also said to apply subsequent coats after the first coat with as little disturbance to the previous coat as possible so as not to remove much of the previous coat (think padding on shellac). I also discovered that traces of solvent are detectable up to a month after application and it continues to harden with time.
So I did my own little test with two stag handled dinner knives from the same lot (from a vintage set of German flatware). I first cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol then applied the wax. In my opinion the one where I used their advice turned out much nicer than the other one with the same amount of applications.
I also think the manufactures' advice of 3 coats is kind of skimpy. I did 5 coats on these knive handles.
As a side note, I also did a little test where I stopped at 400 grit then a quick rub with a white scotch brite pad on a different stag handle that was sanded smooth and then waxed as before. It produced a nice matte finish that feels silky in the hand and not glossy or slippery in any way. Kind of like but not quite the way Ivory handles feel. I think this method would also work on bone handles.
So I did my own little test with two stag handled dinner knives from the same lot (from a vintage set of German flatware). I first cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol then applied the wax. In my opinion the one where I used their advice turned out much nicer than the other one with the same amount of applications.
I also think the manufactures' advice of 3 coats is kind of skimpy. I did 5 coats on these knive handles.
As a side note, I also did a little test where I stopped at 400 grit then a quick rub with a white scotch brite pad on a different stag handle that was sanded smooth and then waxed as before. It produced a nice matte finish that feels silky in the hand and not glossy or slippery in any way. Kind of like but not quite the way Ivory handles feel. I think this method would also work on bone handles.