I've been working on making knives lately, and I'm looking for advice on finishes that can bring out the natural colors of the wood, giving it that wet look without making it overly shiny or slippery. I currently use beeswax, which looks great right after application, but unfortunately, it tends to make the wood look dirty and dull after a few days. Any suggestions for finishes that might work better?
5 Answers
To reduce sheen, once you apply your finish, rub it down with pumice and paraffin oil. This can really help tone down the shine. If you want an even softer finish, you could use rottenstone after that for a lovely, subtle sheen.
For a different approach, I’ve been using quick shine floor polish. It gives a pretty good look without affecting the color too much. It’s not super permanent, but it's easy to apply and dries quickly to a nice semi-gloss finish. Just scrub off the excess with a rag.
You might want to try a curing oil like tung or linseed oil. Danish oil can also work well, and dewaxed shellac is worth considering too. It really brings out the wood grain and adds depth without being too glossy.
Have you tried hard wax oils like Rubio Monocoat? They're straightforward to use, low sheen, and you'll still feel the wood texture after finishing. Plus, they’re pretty easy to fix if anything goes wrong!
I usually go with boiled linseed oil first, and then follow up with shellac. After it’s cured, I take some 0000 steel wool with a bit of mineral oil to reduce the gloss. Shellac is easy to repair if needed, too!
Check out this picture of a finished piece using Danish oil. You can really see how it enhances the wood! https://preview.redd.it/4fmf83mhjpjf1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1aad0b80c917731095584bc6f67fd31cdbb5d07