so i'm using a turp and tung mix. It looks good but I was wondering would polycrylic work? What about spray deft? Any help would be appreciated!
My experience is the polycrylic doesn't hold up too well long term on a knife. It also does next to nothing to highlight the grain of the wood.
What I use largely depends on the wood, but a favorite is epoxy thinned down with acetone (aka the Massey finish). When thinned down well it really penetrates the wood and highlights the grain.
Here's a comparison from some of my early knives:
thinned epoxy on alligator juniper
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Knife%20by%20Dad/handle.jpg)
This thing shimmered - the depth was just amazing!
Same alligator juniper (actually a nicer piece) with polycrylic
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/More%20Knives/markunfinished1.jpg)
Almost completely flat looking. I was really disappointed.
so mix epoxy, and acetone and rub it on then buff it? One coat? Steel wool between coats?
You have to play with the epoxy:acetone mix a little. Too thin and you'll need multiple coats (I tend to think this is a good thing) too thick and you'll need a lot of sanding to level it out.
If you time it right you won't need to sand between coats unless it's not level. If you allow the epoxy to fully cure you'll need to sand (a residue forms on the surface) before the next coat. I always sand after the last coat and put a coat of something with UV protection over it. Not really needed ona knife, but habit.
Use a good quality epoxy, mix it up well and then add the acetone. I've used everything from 5 min, to 2ton to smooth on with good results. Be careful what you mix it in... the mix can break down many plastics and you'll end up with a cloudy finish coat.
so can you describe this in a little more detail?
cody
dont use deft it wont hold up or at least it didnt for me
i have tried using the epoxy and acetone
and jeremy is correct you have to get it just right
i prefer a super glue finish
4-5 light coats applied with a latex glove
let dry over night some where with low humidity
wet sand with 600 paper and hand buff with a soft cloth