Example of Ironwood turning darker from carry.

[Railsplitter]

I've carried this Buck 112 with Ironwood scales every day since 5/29/22. I don't use it much but I carry it daily and handle it quite a bit. I carry it in a pocket by itself with no other items in that pocket.

I thought I noticed recently that the Ironwood was turning darker but I wasn't really sure because I see the knife every day. So I took some pics today and compared them to the pics that I took when I received it on 5/28/22.

I've read that Ironwood will darken over time from handling and using the knife. Now I see that for myself. I know this isn't anything extraordinary and it's probably not anything that most of you folks didn't already know. I just felt compelled to make a post about it.

Taken 5/28/22.


Taken today. 11/6/22.


Taken 5/28/22.



Taken today. 11/6/22.

 

[1911bphil]

It still looks great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

Thanks for the share - I like the way the knife looks now, more than when you first got it.

 

[Roblues]

Many hardwoods darken with exposure to light over time.

 

[dovidola]

It looks better! I have a GEC #745120 Mustang in Arizona Ironwood which I bought new two years ago. It had lighter-coloured patches in otherwise dark wood. Those lighter patches have gradually darkened to a richness I much prefer. But that's just me - some others like to do all they can to preserve the lighter shade, it's just a matter of personal taste. The lighter colouring usually shows off the grain patterns more readily, exploiting the contrast between dark and light, whereas once its darkened you have to look more closely to appreciate the same grain pattern, but I find the latter more appealing.

 

[Railsplitter]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I like the darker shade better too. The knife was a birthday gift from my wife and she is disappointed that the wood has darkened. Not me though. I think it looks better and adds some character.

 

[TAH]

Awesome knife.

 

[RLB0414]

With the shine of the bolsters and blade, the darker wood makes the knife look better, IMHO.

 

[hunterjrg]

Railsplitter i had the same 112 made from the custom shop. I haven’t carried mine all that much to notice a difference. Mine is definitely lighter to begin with. I’ll watch for changes on mine

 

[Bryan J]

Looks like an improvement to me.

 

[Railsplitter]

Railsplitter i had the same 112 made from the custom shop. I haven’t carried mine all that much to notice a difference. Mine is definitely lighter to begin with. I’ll watch for changes on mine

Mine has obviously been darkening steadily since I got it but I just noticed it a few days ago. It had to get as dark as it is now for me to notice. Then when I compared the pictures, I knew I wasn't just imagining it.

 

[zanussi01]

Hand oils and light will do this over time, all my 110's have done the same.
Earlier this year I replaced the handle(Australian Spotted Gum) in my half-axe, use has darkened it from blonde to a dark brown.
Nice knife by the way!