Replies

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Jan 20, 2009 01:42am | #1

   I'll wait to see what Peter says, too, because I use a lot of Osage. Beautiful it is, and tough and takes a polish like marble. However, I do find that it darkens over time. It loses the orange-yellow glow and gets more and more honey colored, although it keeps some of its chatoyance. I have a doorstop I turned from Osage well over 30 years ago and just rubbed with beeswax while on the lathe. It ranges from light to dark honey brown today. Yesterday, at a friend's cabin, I saw a walking stick I made for him 20 years ago out of an Osage branch, with the sapwood up the shaft, and breaking out to a knobby hand-grip of heartwood. Today the sapwood has taken a more reddish cast, and the grip is quite dark but still lovely.

   Joe

   
   

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   Edited 1/19/2009 5:43 pm ET by Joe Sullivan

2. 
   peter28 | Jan 20, 2009 01:59am | #2

   Grant,

   Any type of oil like BLO will give it a slick feel and you need very little to be effective. A little wax after that and it will glow.

   You could also consider a light coat or two of shellac followed by some wax. Again, you need very little to make it shine.

   You could use wax alone if desired.

   Like Joe told you it will change a little with time, any wood will. Using the shellac and wax as opposed to an oil will keep it a little lighter to start with.

   Have fun.

   Peter

1. 
   grant2 | Jan 20, 2009 03:25am | #3

   Joe & Peter,

   Thanks to both of you. That's a big help.

   Grant

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Jan 20, 2009 05:04am | #4

   I like shellac on it, but as tight and dense as Osage is, you need well thinned coats padded on. A little too thick, or a little too much, really stands out.Joe

1. 
   grant2 | Jan 20, 2009 04:00pm | #5

   Thanks Joe. I'll probably go with the BLO and wax. I'll test it tonight.

   Grant