Polishing Wood (So to speak...)

[Corin]

Scales have been shaped and sanded, finished as far as 2000 grit (really a pain in the a**e using files and sandpaper). I was wanting to know if/how anyone finishes them before glueing to the tang - do you seal them by buffing, wipe over with linseed oil or some such?

Thanks

[Tom]

Wow 2000 grit, that's dedication.

The only part we usually polish prior to gluing to the tang is the leading edge, the part you cant get too without possibly damaging the choil.
Any oils present may interfere with the glue!!

Best to attach/glue then finish and polish.
Link to PART1 of a rough guide I did a while ago...

Part 2 of the above (Still to do) is the finishing - shaping/sanding/polishing 'after' the scales are attached.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Tom