My grandmother is turning 97 in a few days and for a birthday surprise I decided to make some new handles for her two pressure cookers. She got them when she got married in 1940. And she still uses them. The wooden handles have broken off so I am going to turn new ones either out of maple or ash. I'm just wondering if I should apply a finish (and if so what kind) or just leave them natural. The are attached to the pressure cookers with a bolt that runs all the way through the handle. So I would think that the handle will get warm or moderately hot. Thus my concern with a finish.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?