jamie 1,
remove the rind, just use the back of scraper then sand with very fine sandpaper,just to take down any ridges.
then go to the store and buy yourself some reddisf brown shoe polish, then rub in coats to make as dark as you wish, and when you are done, just buff it out. there is a waterproofing compound in it already.
i like to realy put on the layers heavy at tips and handle to give a faded effect.
jamie 2.