finishing a hickory hawk handle

[oldarmy]

Have a new hawk.. the handle is unfinished.
Need some advise about finishing it.

 

[J.M.]

I like to put an old looking finish on mine. I sand them down to about 220. Then I give them a good scorhing with a propane torch. Wear gloves, they get hot! While still warm I steel wool them to get the heavy char off. Wipe off with a rag, then while still warm rub in a couple coats of Dark Danish oil. Let it dry well. Burnish with a piece of smooth bone then rub with a paper towel. The handle will have a nice aged patina to it.

 

[necchi]

If it's for compitition I wouldn't do anything to it,I've stained a few dark and if something happens and it goes in the tall grass or brush that might happen to be behind the block, they are a dickens to find, the handle "in the white" is much easier to spot.