Care for birch bark handle

C

Chignecto Woodsman

Joined
Aug 2, 2014
Messages
746
Got my first birch bark handled knife. Any tips on how to care for it? Normally I use linseed oil on wood handles, but figured I'd check to see if that's ok for birch bark.

What do the Finnish people use traditionally? Perhaps birch oil would be the way to go (if you can get some that doesn't darken)?
 
What's it got on now? I think my Lapinleuku have some kind of varnish. Ones starting to flake a bit. I might sand it down and oil it.
 
My experience with birch bark canoes is that the material gets more and more brittle as it ages. Chances are oil will keep it supple but will also turn the material black over time and probably soften it. Good luck with this or consider replacing the scales with something a little more durable.
 
Animal fat, blood, guts and gurry from all sorts of critters and use. A birch handle should need little else.
 
I asked Pekka Tuominen when i got my birch bark handled knife from him and he said I did not have to do anything, but if I wanted too, a little beeswax would be OK. John
 
If you want it to retain that velvety feel then do nothing. The birch bark has oils that protect it as is. I have one that I've used for over ten years and it has darkened down some over time but is in good solid shape even after being banged around backpacking and hiking extensively. I have another that has a hard orange oil finish that is fine but does not have that velvety stacked birch bark feel to it.

The most I'd do it some beeswax as John Larsen alludes to...
 
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