How to protect stag & other naturals....

Spineguy

Spineguy

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
17
Hello...I have many knives I'd like to keep for many years....with handles made of stag, sheep's horn, mammoth, etc. Even wood. What is the best way to protect them long term....to prevent cracking/shrinking/etc. I read a few years ago that Jerry Fisk recommended soaking the knife (handle down) overnight in mineral oil once a year....also I've heard some makers simply wipe the stag with lemon oil and q-tip once in awhile. Just want to get a concensus from the knifemakers before I do either of these things. Mineral oil seems the most neutral and makes sense..I also have some old leather wrapped handles...the old SOG knives...and I'm wondering if mineral oil will work for them as well.

Thanks in advance,
Ron
 
I would think the best way to preserve any knife handle material is too keep it away from extremes of any kind.Don't leave them where they will be exposed to too much heat,cold,water,etc. I might wipe them down well with a good wax every 8-12 months like Renassance Wax.
 
Mineral oil soaks into natural materials and softens and discolors them.
As Mr. Clark said-keep them stable and dry. Waxing prevents moisture loss/absorption. I prefer neutral paste shoe polish. It holds up better and is a lot cheaper than Rennaissance Wax.
 
Where do you live? I live in western Washington where the humidity is quite stable and knife handles and musical instruments do not absorb moisture or dry out much at all. In other places, like the mid-west, extremes are an issue. There should be some folks on here that live in some of the places where keeping handles from cracking is a problem. I would be very interesting in hearing their comments as some of my customers may come from these places.
 
In my restoration work I see a lot of very old natural materials. Oils are not good for them. Waxing is the way to go.
 
I live on the East Coast.....I keep my knives in a Bill's knife holder...and they are all kept indoors....where the temperature and humidity are fairly consistent. Even so....I do see that some of my stag "dries" ...same with the leather. Thanks for the advice...I do have some Renaissance wax ...I"ll use it and abandon the oils...

Thanks again!!!

Ron
 
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