Advice

Walt2 · Nov 30, 2004

I need some advice on a matter. I had a woman call me tonight and ask me if she could bring me a kitchen carving knife that is evidently made of carbon steel for me to sharpen and that she wanted to know what could be used to restore the bone handles finish. Evidently one of the grandkids put the knife in the dishwasher. What would you guys tell this woman to rub on the bone handles? Thanks for any info.

peter nap · Nov 30, 2004

I would start with baby oil Walt....but if the normal thing has happened, it has raised all sorts of grain and opened pores. I guess the starting point for me would be unscented baby oil (Mineral Oil) rubbed in with a green Scotchbrite pad. Depending on the results, you will have to decide where to go from there.

Cindy Denning · Nov 30, 2004

Walt2, bone doesn't like water at all. I wonder if she could put it in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to let it expand again? A rub I can't think of at all but then again maybe someone knows of a sure thing. Good luck.

Bruce Bump · Nov 30, 2004

I was also thinking mineral oil. I wonder if they were soaked in the oil for a couple days it would swell them back out. Its worth a try and wont hurt anything.

Will52100 · Dec 1, 2004

It it's not too bad, what the other guys said, mineral oil works great on bone. It doesn't hurt to give it a wipe down as gerneral mantainence every so often eigther.

If the surface is a little rough you might soak it with mineral oil and then lightly sand with 400, then 600 grit paper to bring back the original finish after soaking for a day or two.

Good luck

blgoode · Dec 1, 2004

how bad is the finnish on the blade? Just currious.....

Don Cowles · Dec 1, 2004

If it were me, I would sand it lightly with 600-800 grit paper, and then buff it lightly.

Walt2 · Dec 1, 2004

Thanks for the info. She hasn't gotten the knife to me yet. I don't know what shape the finish is in. According to her this is a very old knife and the markings on the blade cannot be seen clearly. It was bought by a relative in the Pittsburg area in the early 1960's. It was a two piece set, a fork that has something like a gripper on it to pick up meat and the knife.