Hello, it's been quite a few years since I've posted, Got away from rod building for a bit, but I'm back at it now.

I'm in the process of making a grip primarily out of birch. From what I've read I'm thinking about using tung oil and finishing it with CA glue. I'm also going to have 2 foam checkered rings in the grip and I'm thinking about doing an insect inlay, if I can get the nymph I'm looking for before I'm ready to finish the grip. What I'd like to know is if anyone has used tung oil or ca glue with foam in the grip, is it going to change the color, I'm using white and green foam. Will it affect the epoxy of an inlay if I do that. Does anyone have any other suggestions on finishes that would be good for this grip.

usually an oil finish will bring out the grain. it will darken the piece slightly(depending on the oil finish used-some darken more than others). i would recommend testing a piece with your finish of choice to see what you will get with a final finish

I just use a couple of coats of Watco Danish Oil. It penetrates and leaves a varish-like seal that hardens in the wood. It's a much quicker protection appliction than using CA and a lot less of a mess. And, It's much more durable than using a cork seal. Speaking of which, I now have some cork sealant to get rid of!

Anyone tried tung oil?

Yes, I have used 100% tung oil. It works.

Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil.

Thanks guys. I'll do some tests with the ones mentioned.

Torin, I was looking at your birch grips in the photo section, did you use the danish oil on those grips.

Robert,

Sorry for the delay. The photos of the grip with the diamond center piece is with one coat. I later added a second coat, but have I do not photos of this. The other birch bark grips have 2 well saturated coats.