Carved Initials in Stock Grip

[usabaker]

but I'm not familiar with the term "card stock"

Hi Patrick, it not so much the card stock as the burnish. Most people will use wood shavings or a glass rod to burnish wood, I chose to use cardstock (like index cards) or for MDF heavy printer paper wadded up. I prefer cardstock because it's easier to handle then woodshavings and is more pliable then glass so for me it makes working items with curvatures much easier.

Burnishing is used mostly for end grains and hard edges both of which were part of the section I was working on this stock. It does two things, it smooths the edges giving a clean crisp smoothed rounded edge and at the same time HELPS reduce the deep change in color on the edge and end grain when you oil the stock. That is not to say you can't do this to the whole workpiece, end grain or not, you just have to be careful as you could get sploching if you use stains.

I also would not do the whole workpiece if you are using RLO. However, if you are using finishes like TRU-OIL or BLO then burnish the workpiece would help get a glass-like finish as burnishing will compress the wood fibers allowing the finish to stand high due to less absorption. If you intend to stain, then burnish after staining not before. If you are painting, burnish the primer coat.

Burnishing is not for everything or everybody, it a 'thing' with me because I was raised doing it in my dad's workshop when he made furniture. Like RLO -vs- BLO there is a lot of controversy around its use.

---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------

for the most part I use Acraglass on stocks

I love Acraglas, I just ordered some gel for a bedding job last week.

---------- Post added at 10:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 PM ----------

I am wondering what glue you are using? I've tried several types and like Elmers Max wood glue the best

I prefer Titebond Original for most stuff, but use Titebond II for stuff that I put outdoors or get exposed to the weather. Like Warpig I use Acraglass a lot for firearm wood, being able to color the glass allows me to splice in wood along the grain using dark brown or a black/blue mix to disguise the splice.