Repairing a small dent in a wood handle

[Ted01]

I noticed a small dent in the African blackwood handle on one of my knives. Not particularly deep or large, but definitely noticeable and marring an otherwise perfect handle. I removed the dent as follows:

(1) Heat an ordinary clothes iron to high ("cotton" setting).
(2) Dampen a small section of a clean cotton undershirt with water. Fold over so now there are 2 layers of damp cotton.
(3) Place the 2 layered damp cloth directly over the dent.
(4) Lightly touch just the tip of the hot iron to the damp cloth and move it around a bit for just 3 or 4 seconds.

This procedure raised the dent (probably by forcing steam into the compacted fibers of the wood, expanding them), so the dent was no longer there. The finish where the iron heated the handle was dulled, so I rubbed some oil/wax mixture into it.

I did notice the surface of the wood where the iron heated it was roughened up a bit. I could go back and use some very fine grit sandpaper to smooth it out, then reapply the oil/wax finish. But I'm pretty pleased now that the dent is no longer there.

 

[rpttrsn]

Well done. I have used that method on furniture with good results.

 

[Slauterhause]

Yup, that's how we do it

 

[Phydeaux]

That's how my 8th grade woodshop teacher taught us how to do it. Good technique to know.

Ric

 

[adnj]

I remember being shown this with a big soldering iron. Great tip!

 

[Ted01]

I went back and gave the spot a very light and brief sanding with a fresh piece of 800 grit sandpaper. Rubbed some more oil/wax into it. The finish of my oil/wax mixture is slightly less glossy than the original finish on this knife handle, so I might mix some Tru-Oil Gun Stock Finish (which dries pretty glossy - more than the original finish) with camellia oil and apply a thin coat to see if I can get the glossy shine to match.