Oiled Slabs?

[salvo]

I have noticed on some pictures that the slabs on some knifes really PoP!
Are some of you oiling the slabs? If so what do you use? Good or bad idea?
I would imagine a liberal dowsing of break cleaner would remove the oil if desired.

 

[RussMo]

Warm (not hot) soapy water will remove the oil if that is what was used. I have used Leather Preservative, Gun Oil & Food Grade Mineral oil on my hilts depending on what and where I'm going/doing. If you use break cleaner just be aware of the chemicals in it and your exposure to it. Also a cleaner of that type will remove ANY oil residue and leave the handle material, like G-10 with a waxy/chaulky appearance. You spend a little time fondleing and that to will disappear.

 

[Jaxx]

I use plain ol' mineral oil. The pros of this are that it is food safe/non toxic, and will wash off with just some warm water and a mild cleanser like dish soap or even hand soap and an old toothbrush.

The con is that it will evaporate fairly quickly and does tend to need more frequent applications. Without washing, just reapplying, it will alter the color on some micarta slabs, but I kinda like what it does to Tigerhide micarta. My SFNOLE had really orange colored slabs, and after several applications without washing in between it now looks a rich brown... I'll snap a pic later for a visual aid. Pretty sure that if I were to wash it now, it would most likely go all the way back to the original color.

ETA: OK, my memory on the exact color of the untouched slabs were was apparently slipping! ...But they do vary a bit. Here's a shot below of two SFNOLE handles, oiled (evaporated...not re-oiled for quite some time) and untouched.

 

[salvo]

Those look great Jaxx! Thanks all for the info.

 

[Bigfattyt]

I have also used brown shoe polish and given then a good buff. Shines very nice, and still not permanent.