Choice of finish for Saw Handles.

[Stewie Simpson]

http://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Articles/Resources/Timber-Finishes-Interior

Wax and oils are much easier to apply, but they offer little protection over the surface of the handle wood.

As such, my personal preference is to use a shellac finish.

Stewie;

[lowell holmes]

I've used shellac on two saw handles I made and I prefer it as well.

[Jim Koepke]

Often my handles only get an oil and wax mixture.

Shellac has been used. Tung oil is also a fine finish for tool handles.

The feel and the effect of handling unfinished wood is pleasing.

One of my mallet handles, with only an oil and wax finish, has become very smooth to an almost glass like surface from the repeated hand rubbing during use.

jtk

[Frederick Skelly]

Shellac has been used. Tung oil is also a fine finish for tool handles.

+1. I like these as well. Which I use depends on the tool and the wood the handle is made from.

[Steve Meliza]

Protection from what?

[Brian Holcombe]

The saw's user.

[Dave Anderson NH]

I'm with Frederick on this one. The wood make a good bit of the choice as to what finish to use. Close grain woods like maple Olive, Cocobolo, etc do just fine with an oil and wax finish. Open pore woods like mahogany, walnut, etc tend to collect crud in the grain with oil and wax finishes and do a lot better with a film forming finish like shellac or a varnish.