mesquite handles..

[swede2207]

Im making some basic utility knives for the boys here at the fire station. One guy wants me to use some mesquite for his handles. My question is ..How do i prepare this wood for use as handle material. Will soaking it in waterseal be sufficient..or is there something else i can do? I have heard of using a vaccum food saver to stabilize wood for handles..is this a feasible solution? Thanks Luke

[Ray Rogers]

If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing right. I'm a strong believer in stabilized wood and I send mine out to have it profesionally done. It takes a few weeks and the cost for one set of handle scales will be less than $20. Check out the stabilizing services from K&G Finishing at www.knifeandgun.com ...

[Don Robinson]

Hey Swede, where are you in South Texas? I'm as far south as you can get.

Mesquite is one of the most dense woods so it won't soak up much finishing material.

I use quite a bit of it because the locals request it. I use a tung oil or clear sealer, then buff paste wax into the handle on a buffing wheel. Never had a problem with it.

I have some folders on my web pages with mesquite handles here


http://home.rgv.rr.com/donrob/index.htm

[swede2207]

Don, thanks for the info..I live about 40 miles south of san antonio.
Do you have trouble with the mesquite splitting? Will pilot holes solve this problem? Also when you say clear sealer what do you mean..and where is a good place to get paste wax? The other guys are getting laminate scales from tks but the captain had some mesquite he put through his planer and thought it would be neat. Thanks Luke

[Don Robinson]

I've never seen finished mesquite split. I'm not sure what you mean by pilot holes. For what? If you're making fixed tang knives, drill holes thru the scales and tang to slip fit pins. Epoxy the scales and pins to the tang, then finish the handle. By sealer, I mean a clear sealer, uusually used before finishing wood. From the hardware store. It has to be the kind that soaks into the grain. Better yet is tung oil. Get it at the hardware store too. The tung oil goes bad in the container, the sealer won't.

Coat the inside of the scales, too. All over. Epoxy will seal the complete handle assembly.

Furniture or floor paste wax in a can. Buffed in well, it seals the handle too. Apply it with #0000 steel wool, wipe, then buff.

Your captain will like the mesquite handles. So will you.

Come down here and visit me. I'll show you a few things.

[Geno]

When working with hard woods;
* Use pilot hole
* high RPM and light pressure
* Clear chips from drill every 1/8" of depth, don't just push thru.
* Keep everything "cool" to the touch.Heat causes swelling.
* use sharp drills
* Take your time, let the drill do the work.
* Gently press the drill, never push it.
* use compressed air to blow the chips away while drilling.
* Light countersink on both sides of the hole for clearance and de-burr.
* Be sure to taper pins

[swede2207]

Don,be careful inviting me to your shop. I have been known to show up..Ill try a clear sealer and see what happens..maybe ill use it on another knife and try the wax or oil..i have pretty much an endless supply of mesquite here. lol dont we all here in Texas. Thanks again for the info.