Gloss or satin ?

[JiminTexas]

I'm trying to make up my mind here. So far I have this great looking railroad spike hawk head and a fancy curly Maple handle that I have stained with Minwax Wood Preserver in the Golden Oak color. I married the handle to the head with epoxy, but it will be completely covered by the hafting. I have ordered some gut hafting from 3 Rivers. I will be adding some horse hair strands and maybe some fur and feather adornments.
The point is, this will not be a throwing hawk, strictly decoration. My question is whether to use a satin or a gloss varnish on the handle. I really like the idea of gloss, but is that getting too far away from the traditional hawk?

 

[Swampman]

Formby's Satin Tung Oil Finish looks really nice and works great.

 

[Stony]

Satin :thumbsup:

 

[DNICK]

one more vote for satin

 

[omarick1948]

Personally, I think a High Gloss finish on anything gives off a Plastic look. Hand rubbed Tung oil and waxing gets my vote!... :thumbsup:

 

[Bountyhunter]

Just for S&G, I finished one handle as I thought the originals probably would have been, by rubbing it full of melted venison tallow. It retains an interesting sheen, dull, but not greasy. I was afraid it would become like an old military gunstock, grimy and dull. However it hasnt. I might add that this particular handle is from a hedge post--osage orange--and was worked down very slick before I treated it. It appears very old and the grain is visible. Proceed at yer own risk.

 

[Coot]

A hand rubbed finish of any kind is best. I like tung oil. Gloss sticks out in a plastic way.

 

[mazo kid]

It's your handle, but I don't think a gloss finish would look right. Try rubbing some simple things...oil, tallow, etc. on the handle. You could also just wax the wood. Got any pictures??

 

[laffingman67]

I really like the satin look of a tung oil finish, myself. Nothing like a hand rubbed finish! :hmm:

 

[fatboy]

Satin would be the way I'd do it heres something you may want to look at,I havent used any yet but want to try on some wood.http://www.thegunstockdoctor.com/contact_us.html