Burnishing - Pros and Cons?

[Dances with squirrels]

All I burnish are cabinet scrapers and the blade in my Bowyer's Edge.

[Pappy]

Usually the edges but not always. Got a smooth,small wine bottle for doing it
 Pappy

[bradsmith2010]

I havent burnished any lately, Jim Hamm taught me to burnish the whole bow, but I think i got lazy,,it seems to me like more of a proceedure to respect the wood,, and not sure how effective it is,,
it does look nice on osage,,I dont think it hurts anything,, I think any positive energy directed into the wood is good,,I think its kind of like petting the dog,, does it do any good and for who,,,

[hoosierf]

I often burnish the bellies on yew. Takes the tool marks out without losing wood.  I usually heat it a bit, strap it to a form and then burnish.  Makes it really shiny and durable. 

[WhistlingBadger]

I often burnish the bellies on yew. Takes the tool marks out without losing wood.  I usually heat it a bit, strap it to a form and then burnish.  Makes it really shiny and durable.

I've wondered if it helps keeps dings and scratches out of softwood like juniper or cedar.

[Marc St Louis]

I took a look at what burnishing did to the wood under a magnifying glass once.  It lifts a small splinter at the leading edge of the burnish which get flattened down as the tool moves on.  You don't see it it unless you stop and have a good look.  I stopped burnishing after that

[Digital Caveman]

What kind of wood was that on?

[HH~]

All scraping or sanding cuts and feather the wood fiber. Laying them down and burnishing them has no ill effect. Take a unburnished bow ready for finish, drop a couple drops of water on a one small spot and wait. Burnish a spot on other limb well, then drop a couple drops there. Watch the effect.
Should make your mind up rather quickly.

HH~

[Sagebrush]

I burnish the backs of my yew and occassionally my vine maple.  Never on my osage.  This is the way...   

[elijahjmhutchinson]

I used to burnish my bows when I was a kid, but I saw no obvious benefit from doing so. I was just following instructions from another bow-maker. I use shellac or poly finish most of the time which adds a good bit of protection. As a side note, some of my early bows showed crystling on the belly side. I can't prove that burnishing was the sole cause of the stress but I think it may have contributed.