Care and Feeding?

A

afee

Joined
Apr 8, 2000
Messages
356
I just hopped in line for my second "custom". Its a balisong, which I would argue is a pretty traditional design (traced to the 1800's, if not earlier). My real question though is on care and feeding of traditional materials. I must admit, most all of my knifes have modern materials with plastic, epoxy or synthetic handles, and stainless or near-stainless bades and components. For this one I want to go with either wood or stag inserts. I want this to be the daily carry piece, that, if I decide to ever have kids, and assuming my theoretical kids have kids, will be the hand-me down "this is the knife grandpa carried". So, straight from the maker, whats the best way to care after traditional handle materials to protect against cracking, checking and shrinking? What do you folks consider better wearing material in the long run, assuming "proper care" (as you would deem proper"? Opinions are like "*", everyone has em, so lets here from everyone =)

I have two years to really hammer it down anyway, but its good food for thought, hehe.

Thanks,
E
 
Hi Afee,

No biggie, just keep the knife oiled. I lightly oil(I use Mineral oil) the scales of my knives also, The most you'll notice is that the scales darken a bit. I also try to avoid big climate changes. I tend to lean towards stag. I find it a bit handsomer, and just a tad tougher then some woods.

The biggest thing I worry about is dropping a natual handled knife(modern knives have the edge in that regard):).

HTH:D:).
 
My recommendation is to soak your knives, blade and all, in mineral oil, over night, once or twice a year. Take it out and clean it up. After the handle material has dried rub some Renaissance Wax on to protect it. This will help to keep the material from drying out and moving, cracking or checking.
 
Well thats pretty basic.....
:)


Thanks, now I have about a year to make up my mind.;)
 
Just out of curiousity, I wonder what would happen if a person were to rub tung oil into the scales. It's supposed to be terrific for protecting wood from weather.
 
Tung oil would make a good sealer for wood. It penetrates deep into the wood and does a good job of waterproofing. It gives wood a shine and is used in some varnishes. I have used it on many wood objects, but have never tried it on knife handles. It is only usable on wood as far as I know, and would not be something I would try on stag, coral or ivory.
 
Lanolin-containing dressings for the hooves of livestock have been reccommended for horn handles.
If its good enough for race horses, it should work on most any horn-handled knife...

Pure lanolin or preparations containing lanolin that don't have things like alcohols or solvents are a good bet also if you aren't near a tack store. These can be found at a pharmacy. I use Alberto VO5 hair product that has petrolatum and lanolin as main ingredients on horn handles, though I'd probably find the hoof stuff for a really special knife.

Lots of discussion of care of natural handle materials on the Himalaylan Imports forum--

Search for something like "horn handle care"
I think "Hooflex" is a brand name that could turn up good hits. There's helpful folks there who can suggest how to care for bone or antler as well.

I you're willing to poke around in a forum full of khukuri khnuts, you also find lots of debate on the merits of horn vs wood.
 
Thanks firkin! I'll do that, I need to do a little repair on a HI any way (found part of the butt cap loose this morning).

Most appreciated to everyone,
E
 
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