How To Liven-Up Wood Scales?

S

SharpNJ

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Just got a slipjoint with wood scales. The knife is about 28 years old. The scales aren't cracked or split but they do look dry and dull. Any suggestions on what I can do to make them look better? Thanks.
 
Light sanding with high grit sandpaper can help smooth it out if needed. A few applications of Ren Wax will give it a sheen.
 
I'd try a little mineral oil.
Wipe it on, then use a lint free cloth (like micro fiber or a chamois), or even just massage it in with your fingers. Let it dry. If it looks like it helped, you could soak it for a few hours, then let it dry again.
As brownshoe mentioned, Renaissance wax, afterwards, is great. On the cheap, you can use clear/neutral shoe polish, and buff it up good when dry.

Good luck,

Bill
 
SharpNJ said:
Just got a slipjoint with wood scales. The knife is about 28 years old. The scales aren't cracked or split but they do look dry and dull. Any suggestions on what I can do to make them look better? Thanks.
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THE ultimate oil for wood is Linseed Oil

Cheers
Rod
 
Actually just about any oil will make the wood look better and provide some protection, seed and nut oil seem to be a bit better than others though some may get rancid, almond and linseed are commonly used for recorders and wooden flutes, as Rod mentions linseed is widely used and has been used for centuries, boiled linseed oil works faster but unboiled works better. I changed from linseed to almond in my wood work because my wife dislikes the linseed smell.

Neutral shoe polish is widely used in Mexico by people who carve ironwood, maybe because its cheap and Ren wax is not common here.

For those who want a bit more info there is an interesting article in this site about maintaining wooden flutes:

http://www.woodenflute.com/maintaining

Luis
 
Linseed oil forms polymers upon curing. This is what gives it superior protection, particularly against moisture. It's also what makes that gunky crap around the rim of the can.
 
The oils are probably better than Renaissance wax. I use the wax on some folders and found that if you handle the folders, the nice gloss tends to wear away.
 
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