Boot knife

[hdis2002]

I need a suggestion on how to finish rosewood on a boot knife. I know it needs to be sealed and I will do that. What is a good finish to put on it?

Steve

[ranger1]

I have never used rosewood, that said on unstabilized woods I useually go to 600 grit finish. then seal with tonge oil.

[Doug Lester]

My impression of the rosewood group is that it is pretty oily and doesn't need sealing or stabilizing.

Doug Lester

[David Broadwell]

Steve,

It will depend upon what species of rosewood you use. India rosewood is the most common, and it doesn't take a finish well. Sand it to 600 or better and lightly buff it. I have used Honduran rosewood, and I gave it a tung oil finish because it was drier than India rosewood. Generally speaking, any wood that's pretty oily isn't going to take a penetrating finish such as tung oil or Danish oil. If you scrub the surface with acetone to remove the oil and apply the finish immediately you could probably get a surface finish such as polyurethane or a natural varnish to stick. In reality a good wax is probably the best finish for most rosewood. I use Renaissance Wax since it doesn't turn yellow on you.

David