Owl Stick

The Owl turned out really well. I still haven't gotten the knack of carving, so I'm jealous. That Oak stick looks good, too. It looks like it's in the 4' to 5' range as far a length?

Looks good MJC4. I agree, cherry is a great looking wood. I thing linseed oil will give you the lightest coloring of any of the oils. If it is going to be a decretive stick more than a outdoor use hiking stick then you could use one of the clear polys. How ever I think what ever you use will darken it some. I make some wooden jewelry which I finish with supper glue. It is an acrylic finish. It brings out color in the wood but is very clear. I have also used it a couple of cane handles and knife handles. It holds up very well. There are a number of YouTube on using supper glue as a wood finish. It has been used by pen makers for years. It does take some practice. Your owl may be a bit big for that.

You could always try a limewash then varnish it useing a clear poly.

Cobalt, What is a limewash? The fruit, or the mineral? The juice of the fruit is acidic, the mineral is caustic, so they are at oppisite ends of the ph scale. Just another anomoly of the English language!

Fordj, the stick is a 53" piece of red oak from a sapling knocked down & pushed into a scrap heap by a subdivision developer, the black cherry came from the same pile.

Cobalt I did a web search for info on lime wash, I had never heard of it before. Sounds like an interesting way to finish, does it "bleach" the wood?

CV3 did a web search on super glue finish, interesting. I do think the owl would be too large for this application. I believe I will cut some BLO with min spirits, about 60-40 oil, and soak the owl and the stick.

Good job on the owl! Looks like you are having fun!

MJC4 said:

Fordj,

CV3 did a web search on super glue finish, interesting. I do think the owl would be too large for this application. I believe I will cut some BLO with min spirits, about 60-40 oil, and soak the owl and the stick.

Click to expand...

Just a note on the super glue. If you do try it you want to use the thin super glue. And work in a well ventilated are!

"Limewash." I'll make a guess. What used to be called whitewash in America. Very thin suspension of fine chalk.

From what I've seen, cherry wood of all types w. regular finish of stain and varnish will slowly turn dark, almost black. If the owl starts light now, which I also think will look good, it will eventually become a deeper hue.

yes its a mineral and caustic it will bleach the wood . it will also give a white tint when applied correctly. Its been used for hundreds of years and is still used on conservation work your local decorator will know all about it. you can get a simular effect with white wash but you must treat it right .It has the consistency of cream and should be applied to wet wood ,that way it soaks into the wood mor, if the mixture isnt right it will become chalky. but it must be handled with care.

it looks good when the limewash is polished with beeswax.you would want more then 1 coat depends on the wood.you should sand it between coats.

But do be careful with it it can effect your eyes skin and lungs.

Fordj said:

Cobalt, What is a limewash? The fruit, or the mineral? The juice of the fruit is acidic, the mineral is caustic, so they are at oppisite ends of the ph scale. Just another anomoly of the English language!

Click to expand...

Thanks, cobalt!

It bleaches the wood, and the mineral stays in the pores of the wood to help keep it pale. Interesting.