Razor Kits - Wood Concerns

[AngryRhino]

Hi all,

I've been turning out mostly acrylic for my razor kits, as i'm afraid of what water will do to a pen turned out of wood with a CA finish on it.

I speculate that water will seep under the CA somehow and cause clouding (even if seal the ends with CA as well.)

Anyone have experience using a wood razor? How do you keep them defended vs the inevitable water logging?

I really want to make some wooden razors, but this is speculation is holding me back from doing so.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

I would suggest forgetting the gloss film finish and using a wax / mineral oil finish. Easy to apply / maintain.

If the handle is left sitting in water it won't matter what finish you use. Wood handles will require more care than a plastic handle.

Ed

 

[Harley2001]

You have to make sure you seal the ends good the water goes down though the threads and will swill up the wood also seal the threads

 

[GoodTurns]

I always sealed the ends very well, then used marine epoxy when installing the head. This blocks water penetration/collection via the threads (and why would they need to remove the head anyway?) The screw in head is for the builders benefit, not the users.

 

[LagniappeRob]

I just had to replace a head that got dropped. The razor cartridge wouldn't latch to the head. PSI was nice enough to send me one... but if I had epoxied it like that, I suspect it would have been a lost cause.

 

[walshjp17]

Use wood that is 'water friendly' such as Teak (used as decking on boats and ships for centuries) or Cyprus. Finish with a hard friction polish; Doctor's Pens Plus finish comes to mind.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

Stabilized wood seems like a good idea here.

 

[AngryRhino]

So, I'm hearing something like a stabilized wood with a nice hard friction polish / wax? Maybe also a dense / water resistant wood rather than stabilized?