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I completed a pair of iron wood knives and the wood keeps giving off a wax like substance. The wood polishes up beautifully but after setting a couple of hours the sheen goes away. I have a numbe of iron sculptures in the house and they stay nice and shiney. What's up? What is the correct way to finish this wood?

The wood is old and has been aged.

Rick
Geez, I'm getting a little old and aged and I have the same issue. Hope you find the solution.
Tim

I just normally sand to 1000 grit then buff with pink no scratch. A little wax when you get it finished helps also.

I sand down to 1500 grit and let it go. If I want a finish beyond that...I hit it with Ren Wax. Works for me...see below:

I usually take it down to around 800-1000 grit and buff with White Diamond and use Ren Wax. Never noticed this problem before. It will darken quite a bit with use.

FWIW, I had a conversation with Charles May about this and in a nutshell he told me that Ironwood has a naturally waxy substance in the wood itself that seeps out. Might be what you are seeing.

Yep, that is exactly how it appears to me, even feels waxy to the touch. I have done other iron wood scales with no problem but this set is giving me fits. I've tried waxing them but it doesn't hold. Had a heck of a time getting the scales to bond on tight also and had to go with a mechanical lock. One of the model makers at work gave me the wood.

I've already delivered the one blade and have been sitting on this one for nearly three months. The owner is happy as a tick on a lazy dog with the first but I'm agonizing over delivering this one. He pointed out how much the wood darkened, had been carrying it a bunch and it left an obvious line at the sheath. He's a good friend and this is the first set of knives I've ever sold. Sure wish I had started with a different wood.

I hand sand to 600 grit, in my world that is mighty smooth. I'll finish the edge with 9 micron paper but that is only because I'm showing off the Edge Pro. Something about the mirror finished edge just pops for me.

That is a FINE looking knife.

I do pretty much the same as the other folks sand down to about 1000 to 1500 and then buff with pink no scratch. Have encountered extremely waxy wood with a piece of blackwood one time. I sealed it with super glue and then lightly sanded back to about 1000 and buffed. Sounds like you just have a really oily piece of wood. Might try a super glue finish.

Thanks Boise....much appreciated

Rick
Actually, I do have a suggestion. Similar to some info posted above.
With those waxy woods, I would go to about 1200-1500 wet sanding, polish with Mothers, rinse with water, dry good, buff with a piece of wool cloth. Just re hit with wool to regain luster.
You gotta get away from those hidden pins.
jmho
Tim

Tim,
Yep I like the clean look of blind pins but this pair were completed with exposed pins. My nicest knives have hidden pins but of course I've given those all away.

I'll try a heavier wax. I've never been able to apply a super glue finish I was proud of, funtional yes, but not perfectly smooth.

Rick

The middle and last knife make up the set. I'm betting you're able to recognize the other three, they are by a famous maker.

Rick
Mot sure you need any wax with the wood you described. Sounds like it is self waxing.
What a nice bunch of knives.
jmho
Tim

I think there's something else going on.
Maybe give it a good wipe down with acetone or lacquer thinner, etc. and see if you can "kill" whatever is at the surface.

Beautiful set Rick, and nice work on the ones you did.