>>2274967>>2275105 (2/2) To finish the handle you can decide if you want to burn a decorative pattern or not, I like to do a random spot pattern with a blow torch (see pic
>>2274627 ). This is pretty much just an aesthetic choice. If you do burn try not to go too deep, it should smoke but not catch fire. I do some Light sanding after words to remove some of the char.
The final step is to put boiled linseed oil on the handle. It can be picked up cheaply at any hardware store. Just rub it down and let it dry sitting on some plastic or wood spacers, like chop sticks. Wait for it you be dry to the touch (like 5-6 hours) and then apply another coat. I normally just let it dry over night or all day. Like 3 coats should be good. It doesn’t hurt to give it a coat once or twice a year, this goes for most wooden tools with out a lacquer finish.
That’s the handle done, the only thing I do to the head is thin out the edge and sharpen it. This can be done in many ways from hand stones to belt sanders. On mine I thinned it with a 1x30 harbor freight belt sander and then finished it on wet stones. If you use a sander be mindful not to heat it up, dip it in water every 5-10 seconds it’s on the belt. On the last one I did, I completely used my Tormek sharpening system, which is very expensive.