Bone

[Pete1977]

Specifically the worm groove red bone on a 1095 Queen Mountain Man. How well does bone hold up to wet conditions, sand and coal dust, slime, petroleum products like grease, gasoline, deisel fuel and motor oil and cleaning products such as bilge cleaner? I'm thinking of taking my Mountain Man when I go back on the towboat (Illinois River). I don't get many opportunities to baby the knife or to maintain it for 21 days.

I just recieved a Cold Steel Twistmaster in Carbon V and am taking that but it might be a little large. My company recommends a locking folder with a blade up to 4 inches. I've been using a Buck 110, Spyderco and Byrd so far and want to bring something in carbon steel this time. I am thinking of my Old Timer Trapper (doesn't lock though) and the Twistmaster (I'm hoping to pick up an Opinel when I get back- I didn't have time to get one and waterproof the handle this time around).

Will 21 days in this type of environment ruin the bone scales, and are there any easy, quick preventative or maintenance measures I can take while I'm on the boat?

Thanks
Pete

 

[waynorth]

If it's a valuable knife to you, I wouldn't do it. Bone will absorb a lot of the stuff you are talking about, and permanently stain the handles and make them slippery when wet. Might even give back some oil to your better clothes. You need something like stainless steel with micarta or reinforced nylon handles while you are on that job. Coarse textured surface and a bail, IMO. Off hours something prettier might be nice, but on that job the words "tough, grippy and impervious" apply! Work safe!

 

[Bastid]

The bone should hold up fine it will darken from the petroleum products possibly, but the wear from sand may even things out a little , (not sure about the bilge cleaner).

I would be more concerned with the blade, just keep it wiped down and oiled at the start of your down time. Might want to use a little car wax on the bone if you do not have any Ren Wax handy.

(P.S. worked on a tug-boat on the 10-uh-C river for a few summers, make sure the knife is not in your pocket when you go in for a dip to cool off. ).

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The bone should hold up fine.
Waxing occasionally is a good idea.
Bill

 

[Pete1977]

If it's a valuable knife to you, I wouldn't do it. Bone will absorb a lot of the stuff you are talking about, and permanently stain the handles and make them slippery when wet. Might even give back some oil to your better clothes. You need something like stainless steel with micarta or reinforced nylon handles while you are on that job. Coarse textured surface and a bail, IMO. Off hours something prettier might be nice, but on that job the words "tough, grippy and impervious" apply! Work safe!

I usually carry a couple fairly inexpensive one hand openers and a vic recruit. This job is another great proving ground for knives so I've been taking different styles on each trip. I figured I'd give the MM a shot, but I don't think I will. When I get back in 21 days I'll try to pick up an opinel, an okapi, and a locking sodbuster and bring one of them next trip. I'll bring the Twistmaster and 96OT this one for my carbon steel fix.

The bone should hold up fine it will darken from the petroleum products possibly, but the wear from sand may even things out a little , (not sure about the bilge cleaner).

I would be more concerned with the blade, just keep it wiped down and oiled at the start of your down time. Might want to use a little car wax on the bone if you do not have any Ren Wax handy.

(P.S. worked on a tug-boat on the 10-uh-C river for a few summers, make sure the knife is not in your pocket when you go in for a dip to cool off. ).

Thanks Bastid. I've taken 1095 to sea before when I was commercial fishing and only used a light coat of mineral oil or wd-40. The patina actually worked even without oil in keeping red rust from forming (that and constant use). I'm more comfortable with the protection of the blade than I am with the bone. That knife is too pretty to bang up right now. I suppose after using it a bit I won't mind graduating it down to a boat knife but I'll keep it on land for now.

Sadly company policy prohibits us from going swimming :grumpy: but I can't swim all that well anyhow I don't' mind the job, its pretty mundane compared to fishing but stopping the cut is fun

The bone should hold up fine.
Waxing occasionally is a good idea.
Bill

Thanks Bill. I know bone knives have been used for years before in worse conditons and for dirtier jobs than this one.