Oiling Scales on Dexter Russell Traditional Knives

[j333_76484]

I am putting together a pretty good set of Dexter Russel knives for Filleting fish and processing deer meat. I like the DR Traditional knives as they are not stainless, hold an edge well enough for me and don't break the bank.

I have all of the knives on this page, http://knives.dexter1818.com/shop/traditional/fish-fillet.html, as well as a few of the boning and skinning knives.

I bought some fancy oil for the blades from the Chef knives to Go website but I have no idea what it is as everything is written in Japanese .

Anyway, The Scales on these knives appear to be untreated. Should I leave them untreated or oil them with something? I bonned a deer with a couple of them yesterday and the wood did a good job of soaking some blood in and I was thing I might wanna look into doing something to minimize this.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[smith357]

I give them a hot bee's wax. Warm the handle over the stove just enough to melt the wax let it soak in, keep it warm for a minute or two, then wipe it off. I have hot waxed all my wooden tool handles that way for years. Bee's wax is edible, never goes rancid, and even has antiseptic properties.

 

[B34NS]

I give them a hot bee's wax. Warm the handle over the stove just enough to melt the wax let it soak in, keep it warm for a minute or two, then wipe it off. I have hot waxed all my wooden tool handles that way for years. Bee's wax is edible, never goes rancid, and even has antiseptic properties.

Great reccomendation.

Sounds like you got the Camelia Oil from CKTG? I love the stuff as it's a great similar oil to mineral oil. You can use it on both the blade itself to prevent rust, and a little on the handle, although, the oil will feel unreal slick until allowed to dry.

Although, I've found deer fat/duck fat make great sealers after rendered and strained, but might get stinky over time.

Great knife kit by the way! Should last a lifetime!

 

[j333_76484]

I give them a hot bee's wax. Warm the handle over the stove just enough to melt the wax let it soak in, keep it warm for a minute or two, then wipe it off. I have hot waxed all my wooden tool handles that way for years. Bee's wax is edible, never goes rancid, and even has antiseptic properties.

Sounds good. I looked at Danish Oil as well but I wanted to check out a few things. Maybe even try a couple for the heck of it.

Great reccomendation.

Sounds like you got the Camelia Oil from CKTG? I love the stuff as it's a great similar oil to mineral oil. You can use it on both the blade itself to prevent rust, and a little on the handle, although, the oil will feel unreal slick until allowed to dry.

Although, I've found deer fat/duck fat make great sealers after rendered and strained, but might get stinky over time.

Great knife kit by the way! Should last a lifetime!

Yes that is what it was. Could not think of the name when I wrote up this post. I think I'll try the beeswax idea. I think that might serve to close the grain of the wood up a bit better and keep it from soaking the blood in. Seems like it makes sense anyway.

I still have a couple more deer cutting knives I wanna get but off to a good start. Trouble is. my fancy azzed case I bought is not gonna hold all these knives so looks like I get to buy another case and have one case for deer work and another for fish. Thank god I aint married

 

[B34NS]

Great knife roll! The beeswax will bee great.

I think belgian blue's will havta worry about you more than the deer with that kit, very nice!

 

[smith357]

Sounds good. I looked at Danish Oil as well but I wanted to check out a few things. Maybe even try a couple for the heck of it.

Here is something I did to my field butcher. The knife is a traditional styled Cold Steel Hudson Bay much the same as Dexter. I used a torch and heat tempered the wood as well.

 

[B34NS]

Epicly nice butcher knife! Is that otter wax?

 

[Bazzle]

Mineral oil

 

[arty]

Seal with Watco Danish oil. If you want a more water resistant and shiney finish, you can use a topcoat of wiping varnish, either a poly or Formby Tung Oil (really a wiping varnish). You can still get a water resistant finish with less shine using a wiping varnish by just applying fewer coats or a lighter final coat.

 

[wildwilly2]

I make a mix of mineral oil and beeswax.I put it on knife handles, wooden spoons,and cutting boards.Heat it up put it on pretty heavy give it a little time wipe the excess.