Waxes for handles and blades

I am looking for a good, non-toxic wax protectant to put on my 0-1 tool steel blades to cut down on steel oxidation and the affect of moisture in the field. I needs to be non-toxic/food grade so that if any residue of the protectant gets in the meat or other food that might be cut with the blade it will have no harmfull effect on the user. I was thinking a wax that was almost a paste that could be rubbed into the blade and would dry or firm up later, but wouldn't be oily enough to get on the sheath to much. I have tried Mineral oil (an FDA approved oil often used to treat wood that will contact food) and it was a little to oily, ran onto the sheath a little more than I would like.
Anyway, if anyone else here (and I am sure there is someone) has any suggestions or experience in protecting High Carbon knife blades, I would be thankful. I know they will patina over time, and I like that about carbon steel, but I just want to decrease pitting and the like.
I am also interested in a good final finish wax for my hardwood (maple, English walnut) handles after I have put the final soak-coat of Watco Danish Oil on them. I have been looking at some of the gunstock and furniture waxes but was wondering if anyone has a favorite wax that seems to work the best.
Thanks to all.
 
Wax is a great approach for an all around top-coat protectant. Remember any wax will have to be renewed once in a while. Simple old Johnson's paste wax from the harware store is fine. Some of the more expensive(MUCH more) waxes like "Renaisance" wax are mixtures of harder waxes with higher melting points etc. I have used a stuff called "Dorland's Wax medium" on leather. It used to be available through fine arts materials dealers. It is a very high quality mix of waxes, resin intended for use on oil paintings, etc. VERY nice stuff if you can find it. The only down side to wax is that it collects dust and gets dirty looking after a while on knives that are in storage.
 
Thanks for the reply.
I had read of Renaisance Wax and had considered it but it seemed rather pricey. Do you know if Johnson's and Dorland's waxes are somewhat non-toxic? And would you recommend these waxes for both the steel blade and the handle finish?
These blades, as far as I know, will not be stored for most of the time; they will be carried and used often (of course that means for frequent waxing, but if you want your tools to last, you have to take care of them).
Thanks
 
Ed Caffrey

Ed Caffrey

Joined
Jul 23, 1999
Messages
1,409
Any of the auto type waxes with caranuba will work just fine. There is such a tiny amount left after the application and "wiping off", that there is next to no danger to foods. I would suspect that a person would have to eat several tablespoons of most waxes before any damage might occur.

------------------
Ed Caffrey "The Montana Bladesmith"
ABS Mastersmith
www.caffreyknives.com
 
Thanks for the info, Ed.
So caranuba is the magic ingredient.
What you say makes sense; "several tablespoons of wax"-that doesn't sound very tasty!
 
I found some Lundmark's clear paste wax in an Ace hardware store designed for wood floors and furniture. It is pure carnauba wax with a hardener and turpentine and seems to work well for handles. I might give it a try on an O1 blade and see how it works.

Guy Thomas
 
I have used "Mother's" auto wax(carnuba) for quite a while as a routine clean-up, general polish and it has worked very well. You can find it a most stores at a reasonable price. General maintanence should be a joy, not a chore.

J.
 
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