what do you use for cleaning handles ?

If trying to preserve the patina then a simple soft wax or light oil usually does the trick nicely. Otherwise a scraper does a good job of stripping the surface layer off the wood.
 
I use leather cleaner or a good saddle soap for cleaning the wood covers on my knives, the one i use is Oakwood leather cleaner, it is PH neutral. I have been using it for years, you can apply it several times if the dirt is deeply ingrained into the wood, i have had great success with it. An antique furniture restorer put me onto it. Looking at your photo i think it would be very successful.
 
That is a beautiful sickle as it is. Why do you want to change it in any way? Handle is magnolia wood which is chosen for its light weight and intergral for its balance even though it can feel a bit cheesy in our Western hands -same wood in most high quality Japanese says - and it is also exceptional for absorbing sweat to maintain a good grip so any finish at all is counter productive if you plan to use. Outside of laquer work, (actual laquer) finishes are not normal in Japanese woodworking. It'is a gardening tool for light use such as trimming grass. The blade is very thin and finely forged to be very hard and also brittle. You can put an incredably keen edge to it making it a pleasure to use. A great find. Take a hand full of wood shavings and burnish, if anything, nothing more is my suggestion.
 
I sould put my glasses on for a better view. It could be yours is the more robuust version than mine, which makes a difference in the handle material. Is your blade reinforced with a rib opposite its cutting edge?
 
I sould put my glasses on for a better view. It could be yours is the more robuust version than mine, which makes a difference in the handle material. Is your blade reinforced with a rib opposite its cutting edge?
No rib. Thanks for the info ! Appreciate it.
 
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