Japanning

[MrLufi]

Tangential to my restoration projects, I've had to teach myself how to create japanning for the handles of these beauties. Yet, the subject did not seem to lend itself to any one particular set I'm restoring, so in case someone else interested in doing this needed the information, it seemed best to create its own thread.

I'm new to japanning, and just created my first test pieces for the job. I used several sources for my information. There is an entire niche community, it turns out, interested in restoring old hand-tools from the early 20th century—hand planes, mostly—but the information can be applied to nearly any antique tool, including tailors shears.

This video highlights some of the trial and error I've been going through. I hope you enjoy it!