Matched set, Dorko and silvertip in Madagascar rosewood

[cannonfodder]

Now and then you have to make something for yourself. I put this woked spine 7/8 Dorko together many months ago using Madagascar rosewood with a Danish oil finish and olive wedge. I have had a block of the stock sitting in my wood bin waiting for something special. Two weeks ago I turned a brush handle to match the scales. The brush is a 28mm silvertip but is huge, much larger than your normal 28mm brush, more like a 30mm.

I am using a new stabilizing finish on my brushes. I turn the handle then put it in a container submerged in Danish oil then draw a vacuum on the container. The vacuum draws out moisture and air from the wood allowing the resin oil finish to penetrate very deep into the wood. After a couple of days I remove the handle from the finish, wipe it down and let it dry for two weeks. The resulting finish is hard as a rock. I then buff the wood down on my knife grinder to give it a smooth semigloss finish.

[Ockham]

Very nice set! the brush is huge - a little too much for my taste - and the Dorko is simply gorgeous; the rosewood is beautiful.

I just have two questions: how do you make the vacuum in the container? did you use the same method for the scales?

[holli4pirating]

Very nice set. I really dig that blade. Also, I was unaware that you could get badger hair mops.

[coachmike]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!

[Lancer]

Very nice set! the brush is huge - a little too much for my taste - and the Dorko is simply gorgeous; the rosewood is beautiful.

I just have two questions: how do you make the vacuum in the container? did you use the same method for the scales?

Sturdy container that will not crush when the air is pumped out and a vacuum pump.

Found this DIY vacuum pump how-to a little while ago
Windsurfing How to build your own vacuum pump for under $50 | seabreeze.com.au

And as for the matched set... OH WOW!

[cannonfodder]

Sorry, I missed your question for some reason. The container I use is a clear heavy Lexan/plastic gallon sized container. It is actually a FoodSaver container with a vacuum lid. With the wood in the finish and the vacuum drawn it looks like soda pop with all the little fizzy bubbles as the air gets sucked out of the wood. I just happen to have a 5 gallon bucket of Watco Danish oil finish so I have plenty of finish to submerge the brush handles although it is not cheap. A quart container will get you $15, 4 quarts to a gallon but if you get it in 5 gallon drums it is a little less. I also do bowls that way provided the bowl is small enough to fit in the container.

[jnich67]

Stunning. It must feel great to make something like that for yourself. Nice job.

Jordan

[spazola]

That is a mighty fine looking matched set.

I like the idea of using a foodsaver, great thnking.

Charlie

[heavydutysg135]

Wow! That is the nicest looking brush that I can remember seeing anywhere, and the matching razor is just too cool

[cannonfodder]

Got a few more ready to mount knots in, playing with bowls as well.