Thread: T. Turners Razor Everlasting 7/8 barber notch in puppleheart

That is the natural color of the wood. The epoxy resin finish helps bring out the depth of the color. The Epoxy also helps to prevent it from turning brown. The resin completely seals the wood so it does not oxodise any more, or slows it to a snails pace. They actually benifit from a couple day rest before you pour the finish. That allows the sap to migrate up to the fresh wood and deepens the color. Cocobolo is another one that benefits from a few days rest before you put on the finish. That deep brick red happens after a few days of oxidation. Freshly turned it is actually purple. Every wood is a little different. You learn how to get the most out of each species over time.

Purpleheart is also easy to burn when working. If your blades are not sharp or you spend to much time sanding you will heat the wood to much. The sap will raise and burn a deep violate purple color. Then you have to sand it out. Not real good to breath the dust either.

also fun to do is kiln the wood and hold it at temps of 3-400f (if i remeber right) for a while as it will make the block much darker purple

i have done this before

Yup. You can do it in an oven as well. Another neat trick, use a butane tourch and run around the very outer rim of the scales. Several fast passes around and around the scales. That will draw up the sap around the outer edges making it a very dark purple that fades to more of a royal purple in the middle of the scale. A little two tone pimp my razor action.

I think I recognize this blade, nice work!