Old Birch Bark Handle

K

kootenay joe

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I have just purchased a vintage Finnish Puukko with a handle made of stacked rings of Birch bark (very traditional). I do not yet have the knife, only the seller's pictures which show the Birch rings are beginning to separate as though drying out and shrinking ? I have other vintage Puukkos with the same type of handle and the Birch rings are all still tightly packed together so something other than just age has affected the handle.
These are the only pictures i have for now:

mmubrr.jpg


2na8l6u.jpg


i2qa6e.jpg


Is there any maintenance that will prevent further deterioration or even help the Birch re-hydrate ? ?
Two "?" because i do not know if Birch bark rings are already dry when used to make the handle.
I'm hoping someone has experience with a knife in similar condition.
thanks, kj
 
Several sources suggest that linseed oil NOT be used.

Advice of a Finn maker: "Vaikko Hakkarainen, the man who made your knife just recommends to rub the handle with some mineral oil occasionally and to not leave it out wet after use.

Personally, I do not recommend linseed oil for birchbark because it dries to a hard shell, which is good for wood but ruins the feel of that nice pliable birchbark."


Also: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...bark-handle-reconditioning-for-Russian-knives

"Japanese Sword oil" is scented mineral oil, so this poster seems to agree with Vaikko Hakkarainen
 
Beautiful knife, nice score!

I would suggest warm/hot oil for the handle. If it were mine I'd go for raw linseed oil and bees wax min after a long soak, 2-3 days in oil in a warm place. i.e sunny window or boiler room etc..

Then make a 50/50 mixture of bees wax and raw linseed oil for about ten minutes without over heating anything, just enough heat to keep the mix melted and long enough to the excess material to get opened up and filled.

Then let air dry, wipe with rag, and gently sand to remove the excess waxy coating to the handle.

I don't know if you plan to tart this knife up or not, but I'd leave it as original as possible and just make it work work ready!

I finally managed to acquire this little beaut' the other week, after many years of admiration. ;)



I will only sharpen and oil this one, using the 50/50 wax n oil mix on the handle and gentle stones on the blade. I love it too much to make it look brand new!
 
Great help; my sincere thanks. I will not tart this one up. i see it as a historical piece, but history of what i have yet to discover. I have no experience with a birch bark handle in this condition. I just want to prevent any further deterioration and if some integrity is restored in the bark that would be good too. I will gently clean the blade of superficial rust that picks off easily. I will be tempted to polish the brass collar !
Thomas how do you know the name of the maker ? If he is alive then this knife may not be as old as i thought. The sheath might be pressed cardboard ?
kj
 
Often, the maker's name is scribed on the blade in cursive script, and often the name is Iisakki Järvenpää, Kauhava That company has been around a long time and is the largest maker of traditional puukot in Finland.

"Suomi" is, of course, Finland.

Your puukko is in a very traditional style used over the last 115 years or so.

In proper condition, the birch-bark feels like cork, hence the expert advice not to use linseed oil.

It takes some real rough conditions to make a birch-bark handle deteriorate. I have some examples from the 1920's that have blade loss from sharpening and various nicks and scratches that evidence use, but the handles are still sound.
 
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