A thin coat of shellac is an easy (and easily reversible) way to keep rust from getting a toehold on metal hand tools such as planes, rules, and chisels. Simply mix up a fresh 2-lb. cut, wipe on with a rag, let it dry, and you’re done.
The thin film will eventually rub off surfaces that receive regular wear, but for spots that don’t see metal-to-metal or metal-to-wood contact, or tools that spend most of their time sitting on a shelf, the hard film finish provides long lasting protection. Unlike some oils or heavy film protectants, shellacked tools don’t require any special cleanup when you want to put them to use. To dissolve and completely strip off any shellac residue, use denatured alcohol and a clean rag.
