What to polish wooden handles/inserts on knives with?

M

mesoscopic

Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
287
Dear BF Members,

I would like some help on what can be used to polish wooden handles and/or inserts on knives.

As I have never owned a knife with a wooden handle or inserts, I am pretty much clueless about polishing wood aside from cleaning my Ikea Effektiv desk with some wood care spray.

Objectives: I think in the context of wooden handles and inserts, the main objectives might be but not limited, to prevent the cracking, warping and protecting the original finish of the wood from rain, sweat, dirt and other contaminants.

What to use ?
- Wood care spray e.g. Pledge ?
- Wood care wax e.g. Briwax ?
- Oils e.g. linseed or olive oil?
- WD-40 ?!

It appears that wax, in particular Briwax needs to suit the color (original finish) of one's knife handle or insert.

Does one brand of spray/wax/oil/something work on all sorts of knife handle or insert ?

I am looking for something that is convenient, affordable and easy to use for a newbie which works on rosewood, cocobolo (both seems pretty common) handles/inserts.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
I've heard good things about Renwax, or Renaissance Wax, for maintaining and buffing up natural material inserts.
 
I use neetfoots oil let it sit for a few minutes.
then use a cloth dremel tool with bees wax applied I run it over the wood (this seals the oils in)
after that I buff with a dry cloth dremel bit, apply oil as needed to maintain it.
I have used this and have knives soaked in rain without swelling.
 
neeman said:
Expanding the question

How do you clean wood before polishing it?

I have a knife in Olive wood and it has greyed from dirt, how do I clean it.
Acetone?
then polish?
Click to expand...

Maybe soap and water with a piece of finely-textured cloth can be used to remove dirt from wood.

An old toothbrush with some soap on it might also be useful to scrub out dirt from wood.

WARNING: I have not tested these techniques out yet, so use them at your own risk.
 
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