What do you as a builder use to finish a stock?

[Metalshaper]

Tom,

I've never burnished my stocks with a dowel.. I just use a heavy scrap of washed denim or light canvas and used that about a week or two after the last application of finish and it's initial rubbing back? just work the fabric around rubbing until its starts to take on a bit of friction warmth. Seems to even out the surface and bring up a bit of a 'glow' if that makes sense? Not a shine but a glow..

Respect Always

Metalshaper/Jonathan

 

[dave_person]

Hi,

I watched the kibler video where he stained and finished the gun stock. He also used a dowel to burnish the finish.
Question
How dry is the finish before it Is burnished?
Thanks
Ou
Tom

I burnish some stocks depending on my objectives. I use a polished antler tip. You can burnish after staining, which presses down the wood fibers reducing the amount of finish required to fill the grain. You can also burnish after the first few sealer coats of finish. The purpose is still the same - to press down the wood making it easier to fill the grain.

dave

 

[BlackHillsBob]

i knew some one years ago who would use a big smooth flat bone.

 

[old ugly]

Ok perfect.
Thanks
Ou
Tom

 

[Dude]

Here's something I found on varnish, since the questions "what is Spar Marine Varnish", and where can I find natural marine varnish came up. This looks to be a very good explanation and a possible source for the natural stuff. I've done a bit of searching to dig this up.

By the way - those are some spectacular works of art you guys are creating. I'm awe struck!

I know, it says epoxy products, but they're also into the natural products and explain why they're difficult to find. Go about half way down to get to the good stuff.
https://www.epoxyproducts.com/varnish.html
After finishing the article, I think the spar varnish they offer isn't all natural, but the article is still good for the explanation of the various components and their effects. I get the idea that some of the formulations I've seen in this thread are close to being Marine Varnish, especially if resin is added.