A wooden knife handle requires very little maintenance. You’ll learn how to take care of various wooden knife handles.
The handle of a knife is one of its key components. This wooden knife handle needs special care because wood is a natural material that, if not taken care of correctly, can fracture, decay, or develop other problems. The following advice will help ensure that your wooden knife handle lasts a lifetime.
A wooden knife handle requires very little maintenance. You’ll learn how to take care of various wooden knife handles. This is true for both kitchen knives and other equipment upgraded with a wooden handle as well as outdoor knives.
Why is maintaining a wooden knife handle important?
Wood may get dry if not maintained. Regardless if you utilize it or not.
Although some kinds of wood are more prone to it than others, in general, all wooden knife handles feel much better after receiving a few drops of oil every now and again.
It boosts resilience to variations in temperature and moisture and prevents fractures from forming as a result of becoming too dry.
A well-oiled handle also appears much more elegant since the wood’s structure can be seen clearly.
Which sorts of wood require oil enhancement?
Almost any wooden handle might benefit from a small amount of oil every now and then.
However, there are a few exceptions: wooden knife handles that have previously been painted or polished won’t absorb oil.
Additionally, less oil will be required for wood that has been stabilized, or wood that has soaked stabilization compound, compared to wood that has not been stabilized.
It is crucial to understand that there are several approaches and tips for caring for wood handles.
While some people believe that Danish oil is ideal, others like mineral oil. Many let the handle sit in a pot of oil whereas others wash the oil out of the handle.
When to apply oil?
Most wooden surfaces can be maintained using the instructions in this how-to.
It may be applied, for instance, on cutting boards, but be careful to use food-safe oils that won’t harden.
Any wooden culinary equipment should be oiled once a month for the first year following purchase as a general guideline. After the first year, once a year ought to be plenty. Here, we advise using your eyes and logic.
Oiling is necessary if the wood seems dry or dull.
Please be aware that wood that has been painted or lacquered should not be oiled.
How to apply oil on wooden knife handles?
Simply apply some oil with an old rag to the handle, the cutting board, or any other hardwood surface.
Allow the wood to absorb the oil for a while. It should be no more than an hour, however longer is okay.
Then use a dry towel to wipe away any extra oil.
Simply repeat the procedure if the wood seems dry and has absorbed all the oil. Mineral oil can be used right immediately, but hardening oils should be allowed to sit for a day.
What type of oil do you use on wooden knife handles?
The treatment of wooden handles can be done with a variety of oils. Each oil has unique characteristics and will react to various types of wood in a different way.
Additionally, there are several oil varieties that may be utilized for a variety of tasks. As a result, one bottle may be used for several purposes.
Mineral oil
Mineral oil is our preferred selection. inexpensive, widely accessible, tasteless, odorless, and food-safe. Cutting boards work great with mineral oil also. Remove any extra oil by rubbing it off. Since mineral oil doesn’t solidify, it won’t leave a sticky aftertaste.
Grape-seed oil
A fantastic solution for all your wooden surfaces is grape-seed oil. Although it is more costly and difficult to get, it functions quite similarly to mineral oil.
Oil for cutting boards
You may find specialized cutting board oil online. The majority of these solutions are combinations of several food-safe oils that don’t harden. Therefore, even if a bit pricey, it’s great for handles, cutting boards, and any wooden equipment.
Almond oil
One more non-hardening food-safe oil that works well for most wooden surfaces. We would not advise it, though, because any nut-oils might cause allergic problems in individuals with nut allergies.
Boiled linseed oil
Linseed oil that has been boiled produces a lovely gloss that shines over time with regular usage.
Like Danish oil, any leftovers should be carefully wiped away since this oil will solidify to form a film that resembles lacquer.
Cutting boards should not be treated with this oil since it hardens.
