Reminder for those in cold weather climates to condition your knife handles now for the dry winter months ahead. This includes of course ivory, FWI, stag, wood. Everything needs care, so do it now and again mid-winter. I like mineral oil for almost everything, you may differ. Point is DO IT NOW before it's too late. Sorry for the fatherhood but I learned some expensive lessons and passing it through._________________________

mine are taking a "bath" even as I type....been "bathing" for a week now, and it's time for them to come out!!!
:-)Rocky

Give em the spa treatment Rocky!

Rocky -- Seriously, do you soak them for a week? In mineral oil?

Warren, thanks for the reminder.

I use mineral oil on stag handles and bees wax on leather.

I haven't used the bath technique. I prefer to rub the mineral oil in (gently of course) by hand, using a very soft cloth (like an old face cloth) and my fingers. I may apply the oil twice if it is quickly absorbed.

I also prefer to rub the wax into leather handles and sheaths by hand. I am a big fan of Hedgehog Leatherworks Sheath Conditioner. Not cheap, but works beautifully. Amazing how it can bring an older, un-cared for handle or sheath back to life.

Do you use mineral oil on wood handles as well? If so, do you apply by hand or dip/bathe?

Thanks.

Makes a good case for micarta.

Depends on the type of wood & if it had to be stabilized.
I would suggest treating snakewood as its prone to cracking.
not on cocobolo as its oily on its on.
If its stabilized no need.
Dense woods like ironwood you will probably just make them darker faster and loose the figure of the wood.
Ironwood & rosewood will get darker as time goes by all by itself.

I have only used unscented baby oil on ivory.
I soak a cloth or paper towel & wrap it around it for 2-3 days & take it off & wipe it off with my hand.
Of course the humidity here is great for ivory I have never had one crack.
I had a cracked knife that I bought from up north. There you could put a credit card in the crack.
Here it closed to a hairline that you couldn't even feel where the ends met.

Warren great advice!

Up North the RH indoors in Dec. thru Mar. can reach single digit humidity levels due to the heating cycle. Not good for anything-knives, furniture, skin etc.

Like Chief I also wrap the handles (stag & exotics only) in Mineral Oil soaked white facecloths. Buy them cheap at the box stores and throw them away after all are conditioned. Never thought my knives needed a bath.

I also put humidor pots in the bottom of each of my display cabinets and fill them weekly year round with distilled water.

I have been fortunate and recognized one of my Lignum Vitae knives developing a hairline crack; started the humidor pots and crack is gone.

Tom Flynn

Tom Flynn

Tom,

The humidor pots make sense. Like you, I display my knives in cases. I'll give that a try. Thanks for posting that info.