Wood Inlay Cleaning Tips

[rodmeister]

Just got my Large Wood Inlay Sebenza. What's the best way to clean it?

I clean my Decorated Sebenza and Umfaan with soap and water, then a rinse with the hottest water from the tap which heats and dries the knife almost instantly. Obviously I can't do this to my wood inlay - I remember a thread mentioning the wood shrinks with exposure to hot water. Would cold water be okay?

I'll still use hot water on the blade, and could wipe the rest of the knife with a soft damp cloth, but would like to hear from other woody owners, if they have a better idea.

 

[Scott Dog]

I would just use lukewarm soapy water or even cool water if you are worried about the effects of lukewarm water. I have a feeling that the guy that used hot water used very hot water. Then just dry it off. Sometimes you will notice stuff that is right where the wood meets the tinanium and also where it curves around the screws (mostly lint,dust whatever). Do yourself a big favor and clean these areas with a q-tip and do it gently. If you use something hard to do this you will scratch up that area and it will make you feel real bad. But not to worry because you can send it back to CRK for a fix for a very reasonable (if not free) repair. The are very good at fixing small scratches but not deep gouges. The first inlay that I got (a 2000 small curly maple), I took to work and very carelessly got a bit of crazy glue on the front wood scale. I was sick! It was just a dab and you could only see it when you knew just where to look. Sent it back to CRK and they fixed it like new and only charged me for shipping. Now that is service! I also have a Mnandi and while taking off the clip I scratched the wood near the clip. I just can't win. Well I sent it back for repair. The scratches weren't deep so they said it can be fixed like new. The wood inlay is a great knife for everyday use, the wood gives it a classy look and the handle fills out in you hand more. Another benefit is that with daily use it doesn't get the charachter marks that the plain ones get so the knife looks new. It's nice to know that you can take your inlay and use it and even if you do make a careless mistake you have a great suport system in Bridget and the other staff at CRK. The only bummer is that you have to wait for it to come back. I sent my small redwood inlay in for double thumblugs and it's been over a month! God I miss that knife. Well hopefully I will be getting it soon. Well gotta go I'm starting to ramble. I had a long day at work and I am tired!

 

[K-guy]

Yeah. I really didn't give it much thought at the time, and not that I'm careless. I really do try and take care of my Sebenza's. Just you have to understand how this happened. It was November here in Michigan last year during the fall deer hunt and kind of cold, real cold. Anyhow after field-dressing my deer, it(the knife), and me were real bloody. I had used my large, California buckeye burl Sebenza for clean deer in the past with really no problem. This time though, the knife was pretty grimey. I was thinking even before cleaning it with the hot water, that because the wood is stabilized, it would be OK. It took a few days to really even notice that it had shrunk. Now, this was not major at all. About 1/64th of an inch maybe 1/128th of an inch, only on the front scale close to the rear. The back wood scale was unaffected.

I wasn't even so concerned about it to want to send it back to Chris for a fix. Just one day I was actually talking with him personally(I do quite a bit a business with him), and mention the shrinking of the wood, and he said send it back for him to look at. Well in couple months he sent it back with a brand new front buckeye burl scale for free! What a great guy! There was a small note in the box saying "Use luke warm or cool water(not cold)to clean the wood if need be.

So there you go. I wouldn't be too concerned about the wood shrinking. I'm sure this was just an isolated incident. I've never heard anyone else mention this happening.

 

[rodmeister]

K-Guy,

Thanks, this is just the kind of thing that makes the Net and this forum so important: we learn from others' experience.

I'll file that information away - especially NOT to use COLD WATER. I presume that could thermally shock the inlays or loosen the glue due to cold contraction.