Expert Advice: How to Care For Wood Handled Knives

Properly caring for your wood handled knives will keep them looking great and working well long into the future. Follow this how-to video to care for your wood handle, leather sheath and steel knife blade.

For more maintenance and how-to information visit https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment....

For required materials visit https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment....

TRANSCRIPT:

We love wood handled knives.
Why?
They have soul.
They’re comfortable.
When maintained they look better the older they get.

Maintenance involves oiling and waxing the handles,
and treating the leather sheath to protect from sun and rain.
For carbon blades, oil or grease on the blade will keep rust at bay.

Wood will absorb oil better if it is warmed.
So the best time to treat a handle is on a warm sunny day (in summer)
or in a window on a bright sunny day in winter.

Required Materials:

Roast Pan / Baking Sheet
Wood Oil (We like hemp oil)
Handle Wax
Sheath Cream
Blade Oil
Paper Towel
Clean, Dry Cloth
Latex Gloves (optional)

HOW TO:

Handle

Clean (with a moist cloth) and allow knife to dry before oiling.
Dip paper towel into oil and saturate.
Rub over the length of handle then wrap in the paper towel.
Leave outside in the sun or in a sunny window
for an hour or so, to allow handle to warm and absorb the oil.

Flip the knife over and repeat.

Wipe down the handle with more paper towel or a clean cloth.
The oil will cure in 2-3 days.
Once cured, apply handle wax to handle.
Be sure to apply to end(s) of the handle with exposed wood grain.
Buff to desired level of grip.

Leather Sheath

Wipe with a moist cloth, and allow to dry.
Rub a generous amount of sheath cream into the leather and place in the sun.
As the leather warms, it will absorb more of the sheath cream.
If leather absorbs all of it, apply more, until the leather is saturated.

Flip over and repeat on the other side.

Once done, wipe off the excess, buff with fingers, or a clean cloth.

Blade

Stainless steel blades don’t require much oil provided they are kept clean.
Carbon steel blades require oiling to prevent rust.
Prepping food with your blade?
Blade oil is not only a good protector but is non-toxic and food safe.

CAUTION
Certain oils (i.e. linseed) dry through a process of oxidation that produces heat. If not treated properly, this can produce fires. Hemp oil is less volatile, but caution should still be applied.

Excess oil can be strained and poured back into its container.
Rags and cloths should be stored in water in air tight containers.
Oily paper towels can be burned off, or composted.

Your knife is now full prepared for its next set of adventures.