What finish to use on ebony?

-Wax
-oil/varnish blend

-- shdesign3.com

Wax or nothing at all. It’s an oily wood and doesn’t need a finish, especially in your application where you’ll only rub any finish off.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

same as steve and cr1 said espcialy cuz it gonna be on a plane sole.

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

I have finished ebony three ways. First, since I was so impressed how it shone when wet sanded I left it unfinished as cr1 said. I have also just rubbed in mineral oil. That deepens the black color. In the third case I sprayed several lacquer coats and wet sanded it. Each has its own unique appearance and IMO it kind of depends what you like the looks of. If you look at my projects you will see two that have ebony. The jewelry box was left unfinished and the mirror frame was lacquered. A pool que rack (not shown) was oiled.

I have a nice collection of ebony objects from my days in Africa.
I use a simple bees wax polish and nothing more.

-- 温故知新

Thank you very much for your imput guys. For my planes I will do just the wax finish, which is what I do for my other planes.

-- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord... Colossians 3:23