Question for the guys who use wood handles. IF i make a wood handle for a rod what do you do to the raw wood to protect it from the water damaging it? Do you coat it with spar-urathan or somthing? What about tung oil, does it protect from the water? THanks Josh

I use numerous coats of Tru Oil rubbed on with a finger until I get the build that I want.



Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Josh, I'm with Mike. Go to your local gun shop. They should have Tru-Oil. Get the liquid, non-aerosol variety. Rub it in with the grain. You want to rub it in smoothly leaving no finger swipes. Takes some practice. Rub it in until the product just begins to congeal and thicken just a little. A very light but complete coat. Let this coat dry 2-8 or more hours depending upon air humidity/air temp. Some people sand or steelwool the previous coat to prepare for the next coat, but I don't do this. I find it contaminates the finish. Just don't wait TOO long in between coats and you'll be good. I usually do 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 coats depending upon the wood. Best stuff in the world. Soon as you apply, you'll see the grain/figure come alive. Email me with questions.

Josh Markvan
www.markvanheirloom.com

Birchwood @#$%& TruOil has been developed for the fire arms industry for many years. I doubt if you can find an over all more user friendly finish on the market. There are many other good finishes on the market that will do equally as well and perhaps better in some cases but you won't go wrong with TruOil.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

I use stain and a couple of coats of spar varnish. Seems to work fine.

Dave

One option that wasn't mentioned was using stabilized wood. Just a high polishing of stabilized wood keeps it impervious to the elements forever. But, the stuff is very pricey. It's for that reason that I rarely buy stabilized wood.

When I'm using just normal non-stabilized wood, I use Tru-Oil. The finger method is good for inserts, but on longer pieces (i.e. the grip), I tend to use a rag to wipe it on. It cause the coats to be thinner, but it almost eliminates the chance of runs, drips, etc. I'll start with 8 or so coats, then after fishing it a few times, put another couple coats on it. I'll re-coat it about once a year. It doesn't really "need" this, but it keeps the grip/insert nice and shiny.