Rugged Elegant Blades

 

Handle material test continued

Handle Material (noted from RIGHT TO LEFT in the above picture):

 

                    A. Linen Micarta butterscotch/natural color (USA Knifemaker)

                    B. CIP Composites (Eugene, OR) #101 Black (Similar to Canvas Micarta)

                    C. G10 Black & Yellow striped (USA Knifemaker)

                    D. Oregon Ash Natural (No Finish from Stock)

                    E. Oregon Ash K & G Stabilized (Stock)

                    F. Black Ash Burl WSSI Stabilized (USA Knifemaker)

                    G. Oregon Ash Peened K & G Stabilized with small crack (Stock)

                    H. Oregon Ash (Stock) – Daly's (Seattle WA) 2 coats Seafin Ship’N Shore & 6 coats Seafin Teak Oil

                    I. Oregon Ash (Stock) – Birchwood & Casey 7 coats Tru-Oil & 2 coats Stock Sheen & Conditioner (Bi-Mart, Brownells, Jantz)

                    J. Oregon Ash (Stock) – 3 coats Permalyn Sealer & 6 coats Acra-Coat (Brownells) - Acra-Coat is a surface coating the rest are penetrating

                    K. Oregon Ash (Stock) – 3 coats Permalyn Sealer & 6 coats Permalyn Gun Stock Finish (Brownells)

                    L. Desert Ironwood Natural (No Finish from Stock)

To contact us:

Phone & Fax: 503-925-9790

E-mail: eric@ochs.com

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Ochs Sherworx

Here are the applied finishes and noted below are details of what each handle material was treated with and where it was acquired.  On January 5, 2010 I mounted this to 8”x8” Arbor on our front porch.

April 30, 2010 observations (16-1/2 weeks)

(Left) Samples A through C the Micarta, CIP and G10: no discoloration even at the pin or metal mounting and no change and firmly mounted.  Sample D Ash control with no finish:  Extensive discoloration which is slightly darker around pin, with raised corners and extensive papering, worst of all samples.  Note:  The changes since the last observations are dramatic and likely do to additional more direct sun which has really degraded most of the samples finish.

(Left) Sample E the stabilized Ash:  Has extensive discoloration which is slightly darker around the pin with minimal raised corners and papering.  Sample F stabilized Ash burl:  Extensive discoloration with no difference at pin, moderate papering on sunny side and raised corners as noted earlier.  Sample G stabilized Ash with peened pin:  Extensive discoloration with no difference at pin and no papering, slightly raised corners but still pretty solid.  Sample H Daly’s: Bad spotting with fairly extensive discoloration which is darker at pin, still has some wood color, with minimal papering and somewhat raised corners. 

(Right) Sample I Tru-oil:  Extensive discoloration with no difference at pin, minimal papering with slightly raised corners.  Sample J Permalyn & Acra Coat: WOW! still original wood color with spotting at pin and  still has finish and firmly attached with no raised corners.  Sample K Permalyn: Spotting but still has original wood color and still has finish, also still attached with no raised corners.  Sample L Desert Ironwood:  Minimal discoloration or spotting at pin but has lost most of its luster but still smooth with no papering and minimal raised corners.  It has come loose from metal.

More observations to follow...

(Right) Samples A through C the Micarta, CIP and G10: no noticeable change.  Sample D Ash control with no finish:  Slightly more papering but similar to before.

 

 

June 3, 2010 observations (21 weeks)

July 16, 2010 observations (27-1/2 weeks)

(Right) Sample E the stabilized Ash:  similar to before. Sample F stabilized Ash burl:  similar to before.  Sample G stabilized Ash with peened pin:  similar to before. but still pretty solid.  Sample H Daly’s: Less wood color, basically gone and more raised corners.

(Left) Sample I Tru-oil:  similar to before still with some natural color on North side.  Sample J Permalyn & Acra Coat: Still original wood color with spotting at pin and  still has finish, slightly loose but better than most.  Sample K Permalyn: Spotting is worse than before but still has much of the original wood color and still has finish, also slightly loose but better than most Sample L Desert Ironwood:  Appears browner in real life but is graying;  still has hint of luster and smooth texture no papering and is slightly loose.

(Left) Samples A and B the Micarta and CIP: no noticeable change.  Sample C the G10:  Fiberglass has a very shiny appearance and yellow seems a bit more faded.  Sample D Ash control with no finish:  similar to before.

 

(Right) Sample E the stabilized Ash:  similar to before. Sample F stabilized Ash burl:  similar to before.  Sample G stabilized Ash with peened pin:  similar to before. but still holding solid.  Sample H Daly’s: similar to before.

 

 

 

(Right) Sample I Tru-oil:  similar to before but with barely any natural color on North side.  Sample J Permalyn & Acra Coat: Still mostly original wood color with spotting at pin slightly less finish on sides.  Sample K Permalyn: Spotting is worse than before again but still has some of the original wood color and finish.  Sample L Desert Ironwood:  Continuing to gray slowly but in amazing condition.   It is apparent why this is one of Wayne Goddard’s favorites, beautiful and naturally durable.