[xsailer]

Went to a Woodcraft store and bought an expensive block of Maple burled wood. Made a handle for a knife. Covered it with Danish natural oil and now waiting for it to dry for the finishing coats. Boy is that wood bueatiful! Can't wait to put the finish on. It's pure pleasure to make something neat out of wood and have it turn out nice.

[xsailer]

Oh Boy, I just read a post by Rick that explained if oil is used on knife handle the adhesion might not be there when the blade/epoxy is applied. Boy I hope it's not going to be a problem. I wonder if there is any thing I can do to help dry out the oil before adding the epoxy?

[AlArchie]

Test this on a scrap piece first. Take a Q-tip and dip it in some Xylol or fingernail polish (lacquer thinner) remover and rub that on the area where the blade is to be attached. Xylol is a nasty sovent but I haven't had it discolor any wood I've used it on. It will remove any surface contaminants and actually will penetrate the surface and clean some structure below.

Us old fools used to use such stuff as carbon tetrachloride for this type of cleaning, before the stuff was pretty well taken off the market as a strong carcinogen. Dang, it's a wonder any of us are still alive!

Al

[xsailer]

AlArchie, thanks for your response. I'm anxious to do something and your suggestion sounds very reasonable. I hate to take a chance at ruining the piece (I don't think your suggestion will by the way) and since I want to take precautions as to the potential adhesion problem I think I will try your idea. I guess I'll find out if worked after carving for a while.

[xsailer]

AlArchie, I tried finger nail cleaner on a sample and it does apparently remove the oil locally which is good.
I was wanting to finish with polyurathane but have read several threads the preferred knife finish is oil for ease of handling. I guess I will have to make up my mind which finish I want verses potentail oil adhesion problems with the epoxy/blade installation.