Is my Wenge cracked or is this normal?

emoney2277

emoney2277

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Feb 14, 2014
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This is my new wenge hiking buddy. I noticed some cracks vs. pores in the wood. I've never owned wenge and I was just wondering if this is a normal characteristic of the wood or if it is something I should be concerned with. The looks don't bother me I'm just concerned with durability and longevity. Thanks in advance for your input and sorry for the crappy pics.
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I have a wenge handled knife made by Jared Oeser and it has similar grooves in the wood, though none quite as deep as on yours. I think the grooves are formed by pores in the wood and are a natural feature of the wood.
Oeser%20and%2066.jpg
 
Looks pretty normal E; if you want to seal it, you could use 2-4 coats of birchwood casey tru-oil. You will be good to go on the voids but the handle will be a bit slippery. I would recommend that if you go this route , wait 12h between coats, burnish with #0000 steel wool between coats, then after your last coat wait 5-7 days for the truoil to cure then apply birchwood casey stock sheen, which removes the glossy finish and leaves it matte (and less slippery). YMMV, but this has worked for me twice now ;)

Recommend some googling / you tubing before going this route, but there are plenty of vids out there.
 
pistonsandgears said:
I have a wenge handled knife made by Jared Oeser and it has similar grooves in the wood, though none quite as deep as on yours. I think the grooves are formed by pores in the wood and are a natural feature of the wood.
Oeser%20and%2066.jpg
Click to expand...

BTW nice J.Oeser!
 
I believe it's just a characteristic of the wood. I have a HB in wenge too and it has the same type of long pits. If you look at the butt of the knife you can see them as small pores.
 
It looks completely organic, it definitely does not look like it was done during manufacturing. Andy has shown his passion and interest for quality control so I was wondering. Thanks for the help. I think I will leave it as is. I kind of like it, gives it character.
 
I've handled a few knives using Wenge and what you're showing is pretty normal. Even if you take one down to 2000 grit, you'll still get those 'voids'.
 
Howdy Emoney! Like others have said, some woods are a bit more pores than others. I just try to make sure mine are wiped down good with the mineral oil and kept in a condition that's not either too humid nor too dry. Something to remember and take comfort in is that Mr. Roy & Co. are (as far as I'm concerned) the best in the business when it comes to warranties. Some of my black ash burls & one ironwood handle have a little bit of pours, they've not budged/moved/widened in the slightest since I first received them so I know were good to go. Every one of his knives has character, this just set's it apart from others like it.

Have fun with it!
 
My thoughts exactly sir! Thank you all for the input. Will, if I decide to seal it I will follow your advice, but I think I'm gonna let it be.
 
I'd leave it too. I think it looks pretty cool.

That said, I've sealed a few handles with CA (super glue) and have had good results. One layer at a time (I use a paper towel, and quickly) to cover the scale(s), then sand it off do this a few times and you'll have the pits filled. You can continue until you have a glass like coating too. Buff with white (plastic specific) buffing compound. Insta-set is helpful when doing a lot of layers. Debonder is another good thing to have on hand because you will get it on your fingers. Search for more info if curious.

But again, I think it looks lovely. ;)
 
I like it, I don't think Andy needs to be involved. Andy is interested on quality control issues. Since I've never owned this wood before I wasn't sure what category it fell in. I'm happy.
 
Emoney they are all leading you astray!!! It's damaged faulty goods! Obviously I am your only friend who will be honest with you so I will help you out and buy it from you cheap so you don't lose all your money on the deal! :D
 
Andy wouldn't allow a cracked Handle out of his shop. You're in good hands. All my woods have character marks like that. You're good to go, use the hell out of it
 
Thats poores that are a part of the wood structure of Wenge. I think Wenge is one of the absolute best natural woods. I also love the contrast with the natural canvas.
 
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