Thuya Burl - Finishing Ideas

SC_Knives

SC_Knives

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

Have a couple questions about Thuya Burl. I'm working with it for the first time and I'm wondering how to finish it.. Most of my handles are finished with Tru -Oil, but I have a feeling it isn't going to cure on the Thuya. Is there a way to seal it and then apply an oil finish? I'm more interested in a hand rubbed finish vs. buffing. Any help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!
 
It can be stabilized, but they do it at the end of the run, because it bleeds color into the syrup. It also costs extra because of this extra handling, etc. -Larry
 
Personally I don't think you need to worry about treating it. It's solid and oily enough not to need anything.
 
My experience was different than Stew's. I bought a whole burl that had been sitting on a shelf for several years. I slabbed it 1" thick and it started cracking before my eyes. I cut it to oversize blocks (to limit crack travel and dried it in the oven for several days - losing 30% of the pieces. The balance stabilized very nicely and lasted a long time in difficult commercial service. After this, I wouldn't consider using unstabilized Thuya. I know others do though. Just one more opinion.

Rob!
 
Not gonna stir that pot again, but...............Thuya might be fine on a hidden tang. I always like to stabilize it in blocks so I have options tho. L
 
Thanks for the opinions guys!

I thinned down the finish and it seems to be taking it, but I can say that Thuya burl is not one of my favorites to work with... It waxes up the sandpaper extremely fast and fine scratches seem to appear out of no where.
 
SC_Knives said:
Thanks for the opinions guys!

I thinned down the finish and it seems to be taking it, but I can say that Thuya burl is not one of my favorites to work with... It waxes up the sandpaper extremely fast and fine scratches seem to appear out of no where.
Click to expand...

Not one of mine ether, My experience is that it will soak up wood even stabilized and widen from the handle. I used it on a couple of Culinary knives and have scratched it from my list.

I hope it works well for ya!

Laurence

wwwrhinoknives.com/
 
Thanks Laurence!

I'm thinking this will be the first and last time its used in the shop. Its not worth the hassle lol.
 
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