How to remove smell from kraton handle?

[Smiling]

The knife itself has had distinctive smell years ago when it was new (I guess because of factory oil on the blade).
Then that quickly changed to coconut smell as I used coconut oil for oiling the blade... and there'd sometimes be smell of pines for few days after cutting the pines.

Anyways, the knife was stolen for few days and ever since I got it back it has that weird smell I simply cannot describe or pinpoint, and I don't know what it is.

Only thing that I realized is that it's not really the blade, but it's the kraton handle that picked up the smell, I also remember it had some kind of residue of something on bottom of the ridges. I washed it several times, I even used teethbrush to get it out, but the smell is still here. It smells less now, but the smell is still present.

I'd like to know if putting it in baking soda would be safe? And would it remove the smell?

 

[MolokaiRider]

The coconut oil is likely rancid. Give it a good soak in Simple Green and hot water.

Towel dry, put it in direct sunlight for a while.

If you want to oil it again try mineral oil.

Just my guess though. Without seeing it first hand I can only speculate.

 

[Smiling]

The coconut oil is likely rancid. Give it a good soak in Simple Green and hot water.

Towel dry, put it in direct sunlight for a while.

If you want to oil it again try mineral oil.

Just my guess though. Without seeing it first hand I can only speculate.

The blade has 0 oil on it when I got it back, and the smell is coming from the handle (literally checked with my nose LOL).

So this is how the blade was when I got it back:

No oil, and with some spotting on it.

And thanks, I'll try the sun method first

 

[MolokaiRider]

You mentioned you treated the blade with coconut oil.

I would guess a bit got down inside in the tang area.

Anywho...good luck!

 

[Smiling]

I would guess a bit got down inside in the tang area.

That could very well be possible, which now makes me worried, since it's possible it got "soaked in" as the handle seems to be smelliest at the bottom where's that lanyard hole.

I think I'll go ahead and dip it in some kind of cleaning product for a while... I hope it removes the rancid oil...

 

[jmgruber]

Ask the guy who stole it what he did with it

 

[dirc]

it was a girl, didn't you pay attention ;P

warm soap water is best... don't use any harsh chemicals like bleach or you'll break down the kraton
read about it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraton_(polymer)

found this post from 19 years ago

Hi Krizzard,

Sorry for the slow response on this one. Today has been very busy. I had to wait till I got home to answer posts here.

Regarding Kraton: It is a great material, noted for being extra "grippy." We have, though, seen a few knives with deteriorated Kraton. I don't know specifically why, but there are a couple of possibilities and educated guesses on my part. One is chemical interaction. Maybe something like petroleum products (like gas) or detergents begin eating at it, breaking the material down. The other possibility is extreme heat. If someone leaves it in their car and lives in a hot climate where temperatures are maybe in the 90's or 100's, the inside of the car becomes and "oven," again breaking down the Kraton material.

It is also susceptible to damage through "cutting" type accidents. If something very sharp comes in contact with it, Kraton is soft enough to be damaged.

Now, if I've just talked anyone out of this material, listen up. What I've outlined is meant in extreme conditions. Kraton is outstanding handle material to use and to grip! I can't say it any clearer or bolder than that. To ruin Kraton, you really have to have gone too far. It does not require being "babied." It just required being prudent. Don't light it on fire. Keep extreme chemicals away from it. Don't leave it for long periods of time in that "oven" of a car during the height of summer.

Kraton will serve you well!


------------------
Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com / Email: ron@sogknives.com

The SOG Forum

 

[eveled]

Sheesh. That girl that stole it and licked the blade on social media? What a nut job.

Your knife’s handle has been in unspeakable places. I’m not sure how I’d proceed. Cant see how baking soda would hurt it.

Not really sure anything will help at this point.

 

[000Robert]

The knife itself has had distinctive smell years ago when it was new (I guess because of factory oil on the blade).
Then that quickly changed to coconut smell as I used coconut oil for oiling the blade... and there'd sometimes be smell of pines for few days after cutting the pines.

Anyways, the knife was stolen for few days and ever since I got it back it has that weird smell I simply cannot describe or pinpoint, and I don't know what it is.

Only thing that I realized is that it's not really the blade, but it's the kraton handle that picked up the smell, I also remember it had some kind of residue of something on bottom of the ridges. I washed it several times, I even used teethbrush to get it out, but the smell is still here. It smells less now, but the smell is still present.

I'd like to know if putting it in baking soda would be safe? And would it remove the smell?

I have a fixed blade knife that has some kind of polymer handle on it. After having it for years the handle started stinking and had a nasty sticky feel to it. I cleaned it up with paper towels and acetone, using fresh paper towels and acetone until the paper towel stayed clean. Now the handle is like new.
I'm not sure if that would work with Kraton because I'm not sure what my handle is made of.

 

[DangerZone98]

At least I hope she didn’t lick along the edge? Not fun that.

 

[GIRLYmann]

...

found this post from 19 years ago

oh wow,
a post from the late ron andersen rip...
his words still hold true.
still echoing after 19 years.
what an amazing find!
back to the stinky problem ..
baking soda sounds good.
so does a weak watered down
solution of vinegar.
but i really don't know about
possible corrosive effects if any.
so i would instead suggest that you try
placing the knife in a couple of air tight
plastic bags or a container jammmed
packed with charcoal

for a week or so.
as it carbon content
should absorb some of the smell
with little or no after effect.

 

[eveled]

I came back to recommend char-coal and a baggie.

G GIRLYmann beat me to it.

 

[Smiling]

OK since I wanted to dip it in some chemical and I got distracted I didn't do anything yet, I actually do have some coal, so I just went ahead and stuck it in there right away. It's safer than some chemical cleaning products, and even baking soda I suppose (and other people in the house won't freak out on me wasting all of the baking soda)...

Sheesh. That girl that stole it and licked the blade on social media? What a nut job.

Your knife’s handle has been in unspeakable places. I’m not sure how I’d proceed. Cant see how baking soda would hurt it.

Not really sure anything will help at this point.

I'll try it with baking soda if coal doesn't work.

And yes, it's her, I initially wanted to ask her what the hell did she do with it... but then I realized I might not want to know, and also, I'd rather have it stink forever than talk to her again actually.

 

[Craig James]

Charcoal (or better activated charcoal) works by absorbing molecules that are responsible for odours, typically used in an air filter. Not sure that this will work in this application. Certainly you need to eliminate the source of the odour by cleaning etc.

 

[Spideyjg]

Full strength Simple Green has taken care of the smell in ice chests with spoiled bait.

Nothing worse 2 days after a fishing trip to realize you didn't empty the bait cooler.

 

[bucketstove]

Charcoal (or better activated charcoal) works by absorbing molecules that are responsible for odours, typically used in an air filter. Not sure that this will work in this application. Certainly you need to eliminate the source of the odour by cleaning etc.

Yup, cleaning is number 1, scrub with soap and hot water

onions will mask a dead rat for a while
coffee ground will mask mold/mildew
shredded newspaper will block garbage odor (exactly like a lid)
but the only way to get rid of it is to clean/wash/scrub

 

[Smiling]

but the only way to get rid of it is to clean/wash/scrub

I already did that, I scrubbed it with soap and toothbrush.
I think problem is that there's some kind of gap where's lanyard hole and somehow the smell has gotten in.
Also, texture itself makes it hard to brush/scrub completely.

I just took it out of coal and washed again, I suppose it did remove some smell, but the odor is still there and I don't remember if it's any less intense than before.

I think I'll just dunk it in window cleaner and leave it there for a while, it should be able to get in every gap.

 

[bucketstove]

Soaking helps,
works with oatmeal/cereal,
even tea stains (dish soap)

 

[jmgruber]

This is a typical problem that occurs in people who have knives with a wooden handle or other wooden products.