Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
.png)
If you want your knives to last a long time, they need to be cared for and treated. This applies to both blades and wooden handles. If you neglect this step, cracks can form over time. Wooden handles are subject to external stresses such as vibration, friction, humidity and impact. To preserve the wood of your kitchen knife, you need to treat it properly.
Why treat a wooden handle?
It goes without saying that wood dries out over the years, regardless of its use. Some types of wood are more disadvantaged than others, but in general, a wooden handle needs a drop of oil from time to time to nourish it. This protects it from cracking and enhances its resistance to temperature variations and humidity. What's more, a carefully oiled handle enhances the design of the wood.
What kind of wood should I oil?
In principle, all wooden handles should be oiled, whether they are made of olive, walnut, ebony, oak... Every handle needs an occasional oil treatment. However, there are always exceptions: handles that are painted or lacquered do not absorb oil. What's more, stabilized wood species, i.e. those impregnated with resin (such as pakkawood), require only a small amount of oil compared with unstabilized wood species.
There are several ways of treating wooden handles available today. While some preferlinseed oil, others swear bymineral oil. Linseed oil can be combined with turpentine or walnut oil. Others lightly sand their wooden handle with fine sandpaper before immersing it in a pot of oil, so that the handle absorbs the oil as well as possible.
Choosing the right treatment
There is a wide range of oils used to treat wooden handles. Each has its own specific characteristics and reacts in a different way depending on the type of wood. Some oils can be used for a variety of purposes other than knife handle care(e.g. care of your wooden cutting board).
Danish oil
Widely used by woodworkers, this is made from Tong oil, and penetrates deep into the wood. After application and drying, rub the handle with a dry cloth. The wood pattern is then sublimated. Be careful not to leave too much oil, as this will leave a sort of lacquer layer when dry.
Maintenance oil for Continenta wooden boards
Continenta oil protects wood from moisture, discoloration and wear. It seals the wood and penetrates deep into the wood fibers to give it a beautiful sheen. As its name suggests, this oil is suitable for treating cutting boards. It also prolongs handle durability.
Linseed oil
This grandmotherly remedy is used in the same way as Danish oil. Apply a thin layer to the handle and take care to remove any excess oil, as this, like Danish oil, will leave a layer of lacquer.
Mineral oil for Proteak cutting boards
This cutting-board oil is also very popular. It cares for your handle and, as it's colorless and odorless, it's a pleasure to handle. Simply use a cloth to apply it to your handle.
What about olive oil?
Like the cutting board, the wooden handle can also be treated with olive oil from time to time. However, olive oil can leave a rancid odour on the handle over the long term. So opt for the oils mentioned above if you can! It would be a shame to ruin your beautiful knife!
How do I apply the oil to the knife handle?
In general, the oil should be applied with a clean cloth, a few drops being sufficient. Let the handle absorb the oil for about 15 minutes, then wipe it off with the cloth. Repeat the operation until the wood is saturated (i.e. until the oil no longer penetrates).
That's all you need to know about treating and caring for your wooden knife handles. If you haven't found your maintenance oil yet, visit our site to find the best oil for your wooden knife handles!
