Michael Kemp
Well-Known Member
I've been experimenting with finishes for wood handled kitchen knives - both ones we've owned for awhile and a couple I've made...
Our kitchen is probably less destructive than most since we don't have a dishwasher and hand wash everything... but still... whatever the finish is on wood, it takes a beating!
I've tried waxes (Renaissance and Briwax) and they don't last long. Is it my application or is this normal?
I've been trying CA glue finishing... using the super-thin CA glue and sanding between coats. The 1st try turned out very thick and plasticy. The second knife is better - it /looks/ more natural but still feels like a hunk of plastic in my hand. These are both well used knives.
The process I went through with the second one was:
- clean and dry the knife (in a drying box)
- sand wood w. 400 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 400 grit - notice cracks next to the tang
- put some regular thickness CA glue into the cracks
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 600 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 600 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand with 800, then 1200, then hand rub
... like I said - this one comes out not /looking/ plastic - but still /feels/ plastic to me...
I'm about to try a 3rd knife with CA glue since it does hold up to kitchen use. I'll try some modifications to the method to see if it comes out more natural feeling.
Any comments on my methods?
Any suggestions for kitchen-worthy finishes other than CA glue?
Thanks Much!
Michael Kemp
Our kitchen is probably less destructive than most since we don't have a dishwasher and hand wash everything... but still... whatever the finish is on wood, it takes a beating!
I've tried waxes (Renaissance and Briwax) and they don't last long. Is it my application or is this normal?
I've been trying CA glue finishing... using the super-thin CA glue and sanding between coats. The 1st try turned out very thick and plasticy. The second knife is better - it /looks/ more natural but still feels like a hunk of plastic in my hand. These are both well used knives.
The process I went through with the second one was:
- clean and dry the knife (in a drying box)
- sand wood w. 400 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 400 grit - notice cracks next to the tang
- put some regular thickness CA glue into the cracks
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 600 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand w. 600 grit
- light coat of super-thin CA glue
- sand with 800, then 1200, then hand rub
... like I said - this one comes out not /looking/ plastic - but still /feels/ plastic to me...
I'm about to try a 3rd knife with CA glue since it does hold up to kitchen use. I'll try some modifications to the method to see if it comes out more natural feeling.
Any comments on my methods?
Any suggestions for kitchen-worthy finishes other than CA glue?
Thanks Much!
Michael Kemp