finishing tool handles

[Mike Kurta]

    Bill:  I've used both lacquer and varnish and prefer a third product, 
water based polyurethane.  Lacquer goes on nicely and looks good, but is 
soft and does not wear well.  Varnish takes awhile to dry and also may not 
wear well.  Poly goes on easily, water washes your tools, dries quickly and 
wears like iron.  Two coats.  For a really smooth finish, use 0000 steel 
wool between coats and when the final coat is dry.  I just finished 50 tool 
handles with it and I'm happy.
    Mike Kurta