What do I use to treat my wood handles?

[chainring]

I remember seeing it mentioned somewhere what Andy recommends for keeping wood handles in good shape...what was it? Something about soaking them in _____? Need to pull some maintenance on my Fiddlebacks. I bet Andy's gone for the week, but I figured somebody would know.

 

[armstrong*skier]

im pretty sure that he recommends mineral oil

 

[chainring]

That does sound familiar.

 

[rifon2]

I think it depends at least somewhat on the type of wood, and whether it's been stabilized.

Without having this info, I'd play it safe and not use any kind of oil at all.
I'd use Renaissance Wax. It's safe for virtually everything, and it's super high quality as well.

BTW, a couple of oils often used for wood are boiled linseed oil, and tung oil.

 

[schmittie]

I've used tung oil in the past and always had good success. I like to try some thing with a low gloss, that's just my preference though.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

If I remember correctly, the advice was to soak it totally submerged, blade and all, in mineral oil over night. Leave it on some paper towels and let it "drain" for a day or two. Wipe it off and presto chango, BRAND SPANKIN' NEW KNIFE..... PRETTY MUCH.

 

[n_hall]

i've always coated the entire knife with mineral oil whenever i choose the oil it.

 

[Rotte]

I like linseed oil. Boiled linseed oil.

 

[Fiddleback]

Mineral Oil. The main benefit of MO over BLO is that it is food safe.