finishing a Noggin?

[Birdman]

a question if I may gents, I'm in process of making several wooden noggins and was wondering just how far to maybe go with finishing them. On originals, are there tool marks showing, maybe file marks n such. I know with use many things smooth out over time but was thinking of a couple fellas even Natives working on makeing a couple noggins at a tradeing post or around a campfire n just how far they would go with the finishing?smoothing
process. Many items made in towns n such would of course be expected to be blemish free n fine finished, but out on the edges I wonder. Has anyone really looked at originals other then pictures n seen the finishs? Just how rough were they? With this crazy hobby there are always new n interresting ideas that come up where ya have to search for an answer to come close to getting it right. sing out with any opinions I'd like to hear anything n everything. Thanks guys YMHS Birdman

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have not had the opertunity to examine closely origionals. But I would assume the "lips " would have been scraped to remove any possible rough spots or splinters while the main body would have most likely shown tool marks. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[50cal.cliff]

a question if I may gents, I'm in process of making several wooden noggins and was wondering just how far to maybe go with finishing them. On originals, are there tool marks showing, maybe file marks n such. I know with use many things smooth out over time but was thinking of a couple fellas even Natives working on makeing a couple noggins at a tradeing post or around a campfire n just how far they would go with the finishing?smoothing
process. Many items made in towns n such would of course be expected to be blemish free n fine finished, but out on the edges I wonder. Has anyone really looked at originals other then pictures n seen the finishs? Just how rough were they? With this crazy hobby there are always new n interresting ideas that come up where ya have to search for an answer to come close to getting it right. sing out with any opinions I'd like to hear anything n everything. Thanks guys YMHS Birdman

hotoSmile:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'm sure I have seen noggins in museums but just didn't pay attention.
They could easily have been smoothed with rocks or sand.
Not asked, but my advice for finishing is to put nothing on them.
I have tried all sorts of things but the use of hot liquids like coffee, alcohol or milk or acid like orange juice remove the finish and make for a yuckky, or even dangerous drink.
My noggin in use for 40+ years is now nekkid and works just fine from breakfast to evening campfire jug passing.