Alkanet Root Oil – for handles

A traditional natural colourant combined with a penetrating wood finish.

Black Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil is produced by infusing a high-quality penetrating wood-finishing oil with natural Alkanet Root (Alkanna tinctoria).

Developed for use on knife handles and other fine timber work, it combines the protective properties of an oil finish with the natural colouring properties of Alkanet Root.

Alkanet Root has a long history of use as a natural colourant in oils and wood finishes. Its oil-soluble pigments enrich the natural colour of timber while allowing the grain, figure and character of the wood to remain clearly visible.

What It Does

Black Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil works with the natural colour and grain of the timber rather than covering it with an opaque stain.

Depending on the timber being treated, it can:

• deepen and enrich the natural colour of the wood;
• introduce warm red, burgundy and red-brown tones;
• increase visual contrast within the grain;
• enhance figure and natural character; and
• leave the timber with a natural, low-lustre oil finish.

The final result will vary between timber species and between individual pieces of the same species. This natural variation is part of the character of an Alkanet Root Oil finish.

Designed for Knife Handles

Black Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil was developed specifically with knife handles and other small, high-quality timber projects in mind.

It is particularly useful where the aim is to enhance the natural colour, grain and figure of the timber without hiding the material beneath a heavily pigmented stain or thick surface finish.

Application

For best results, apply to clean, dry timber that has been sanded to the desired final finish.

Shake well before use.

Apply a small quantity directly to the timber and spread evenly using a clean, lint-free cloth.

Allow the oil to penetrate the surface before wiping away any excess.

Additional coats can be applied where a deeper colour or greater finish build is desired.

Allow 4 to 8 hours between coats.

Because Alkanet Root is a natural colourant, the effect will depend on the timber being treated. We recommend testing the oil on an offcut or inconspicuous area before applying it to a completed handle.

Food Safe Once Dry

Black Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil has been tested and is food safe once fully dry.

This makes it suitable for use on knife handles, including kitchen and culinary knives, provided the finish is allowed to dry completely before use.

Available Sizes

Black Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil is available in:

50 ml
100 ml

Both sizes are supplied in amber glass bottles with built-in slow-flow drippers.

The amber glass helps protect the contents from unnecessary light exposure, while the slow-flow dripper provides controlled dispensing of the small quantities normally required when finishing knife handles and other fine timber work.