Question: Possible warpage of wood on riveted handles?

[JayGoliath]

Dear all,

Try not to dwell much into wood, but has anyone come across a handle that warped over time?

Could it be the lack of moisture inside the wood? humidity?

If anyone experienced this, could you also shed some lights?

I heard about immersing the handle into boiled linseed oil or apply copious amount of beeswax.

My 0.02 cents of paranoid.

Jay

 

[killa_concept]

The wood can swell with moisture due to high humidity or shirk due to dry weather. Constant or abrupt changes in climate might cause it to crack. I haven't done anything with my kukri handles yet and nothing has really happened to them. The wood might be a little bit more swollen due to Oregon humidity, but it's hardly noticeable.

Also, you don't want to soak the handles in boiled linseed... you could perhaps do that with raw linseed, but boiled linseed is much thicker and dries more quickly. if you use boiled linseed, you want to use thin coats.
Refer to this thread - specifically Mr. Ferguson's post as to the proper procedure (the picture he provided was proof enough of the effectiveness of his technique). I've been considering doing it to my wooden handled khuks for awhile now - but purely for the aesthetic value and not really for the added protection (grime from my hands have darkened up and dulled out the natural wood colors )

 

[Superintendent]

Jay,
I no expert, however I have re-finished several rifle stocks (M1 Garands) both old and new. I have found better results with "Tung Oil" and prefer it over the BLO. Tung Oil will create slightly more shine than the BLO. Don't get the Minwax typeTung Oil at the Home improvement stores, there is too much thinner in them. You'll want 100 % Pure Tung Oil, we have a Wood Craft store here locally, and they have some good stuff: www.woodcraft.com.
"Used for centuries as both a complete finish and component in natural resin varnishes. It gives a finish that is transparent, natural and highly resistant to water and alcohol. Unlike surface finishes, tung oil penetrates wood and hardens within. Additional coats may be added and rubbed to a high gloss. Our tung oil is 100% pure and contains no petroleum distillates. It may be thinned with turpentine or paint thinner. "

Good Luck, and I'm sure you'll get better/more technical advice form lots of folks here

P.S. Tung Oil smells good too

 

[Wolf_1989]

My M43 has a bit of warp in the wood near the pommel, but it's a user and the warp doesn't affect performance so I don't worry about it.

 

[hollowdweller]

I only have a a couple riveted ones but mostly I've heard or experienced a slight shrinkage more than any warping.

 

[b.c.molin]

That Ferguson bloke knows what he talking about and I have the proof in my collection to prove it! :thumbup: