using purple heart

RGK · April 19, 2007, 07:28:00 PM

Has anybody used purple heart for a riser or a knife handle? I just used it for a knife handle and it is not very purple. I was very purple when I cut it out but after sanding and using tung oil, it looks like walnut.

soaring eagle · April 19, 2007, 09:00:00 PM

I had the same thing happen on a bow riser. I never put a finish on it and in a couple of days it was purple again dont know why but it happened

James Wrenn · April 19, 2007, 09:04:00 PM

Like osage it will darken over time.They make a product to help it from changing.I think the UV rays turns it faster so a finish with a blocker in it will help.

Tilbilly · April 19, 2007, 09:25:00 PM

I used it for a knife handle. Used tung oil, then Tru-Oil. Those products will darken wood. Mine looks more like rosewood now.

OconeeDan · April 19, 2007, 10:08:00 PM

Purple heart seems to darken much faster than osage. That's just the way it is, it is still very nice looking when "seasoned".
Dan

bowdude · April 19, 2007, 10:26:00 PM

Purple heart turns purple with light. Just a regular flourescent shop light will work over night. Go down in the morning and flip it over, SURPRISE! :eek:

insttech1 · April 19, 2007, 11:03:00 PM

it also oxidizes; it should be sealed relatively quickly after sanding or it darkens...

insttech1 · April 19, 2007, 11:04:00 PM

and i would guess the oil doesn't help; sealing it with an epoxy or fullerplast/thunderbird should help out a bit...

look at recurves.com and there should be some pics of purpleheart risers, along with some at navajobows.com

see ya,
marc

flungonin · April 20, 2007, 12:08:00 AM

when you don't loose the color you really have something beautiful.

RGK · April 20, 2007, 06:30:00 AM

sunlight!!!!!!!!!!!!! even after the finish is applied?

BobCo 1965 · April 20, 2007, 09:06:00 AM

Here is a pic of my purple heart riser (Chek-Mate Kings Pawn):

jgbennett6 · April 20, 2007, 09:48:00 AM

purple heart and yellow heart,

Skinner · April 20, 2007, 09:57:00 AM

Purpleheart accent on my Cocobolo and Zebrawood Blacktail.

RGK · April 20, 2007, 08:08:00 PM

beautiful. My knife handle is not nearly so bright purple.

Bodork · April 21, 2007, 01:41:00 PM

Hey RGK, here is a knife I just made with bloodwood in the handle. On the last knife I made, it had a small bloodwood stripe and the thunderbird epoxy turned it purple. It has kind of an irridesent look. I liked it so I wanted to see how an entire handle would look. The first picture shows it with the first light coat of epoxy. The second picture is how it looks finshed. What a difference. It looks to change colors in different light.