Honey dipper finish

[C Edward Moore]

I was just requested to make my daughter-in-law a honey dipper to be given as a gift. No problem, I've made them before as a skill enhancer.

PANIC! I have always assumed that no finish is put on honey dippers, but I really don't KNOW that for sure.

I do hereby request your able assistance in this sticky matter! HELP!

 

[arbud]

double dipper?

Ed, I've made several of these from myrtle and maple. I have never used a finish on them. I suspect that if you used purpleheart, walnut, cocobolo, etc. one would have to put a finish on them by virtue of their propensity to react with some compounds. However, honey is the only food that will not spoil. As an example, whem Howard Carter opened King Tut's tomb he found jars of honey. Carter and his mates had it for breakfast the next morning.

I vote no finish for non-reactive wood.

 

[Joe Herrmann]

Nick Cook uses a walnut oil that he purchases from gourmet food stores on his honey dippers. I'm kind of partial to a product called "Preserve"; it's available from several of the large turning supply houses. It is also a nut meat oil.

Joe

 

[C Edward Moore]

Thank you

I thank you both for your responses. I have some of Mike Mahoney's walnut oil coming Monday or Tuesday. My plan is to provide her with two dippers - one finished and one unfinished. And then she must decide which to give her friend.

Thanks again,