Plane Tote and knob

I'm looking for a recommended finish for a 2-tone contrasting timber plane tote. I don't want to lose the contrast. Any recommendations?

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I believe that the old stanley planes used to use a varnish, so a polyurethane would probably do. A water clear poly or a wipe on type would probably give the result with the least change to the timber colours (and ease of application).

Other options are to use linseed oil or tung oil - tung will add less colour than linseed oil. Both will allow you to keep the contrast, but you'll end up with the wet colours, so a good number of shades darker.

The other alternative is to hold on to it all through next summer and your skin oils will put their own patina onto it :D

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Originally Posted by themage21

The other alternative is to hold on to it all through next summer and your skin oils will put their own patina onto it :D

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Might look a bit odd holding a tote all day.

I would use a clear water based ploy.