Fix A Wooden Handle That Went In The Dishwasher

• Knife Exchange FEEDBACK: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly! Hall of Fame Hall of Shame For Sale by Dealers For Sale: Production Knives (Dealer) For Sale: Custom & Semi Production Knives (Dealer) For Sale: Gadgets & Gear (Dealer) KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale For Sale: Kitchen Knives For Sale: Folders For Sale: Fixed Blades For Sale: Knifemaking Supplies & Tools For Sale: Gadgets & Gear The Custom Shop: Services Offered Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services For Sale by Individuals Buck Knives For Sale Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard Knives For Sale Chris Reeve Knives for sale Carothers Performance Knives For Sale For Sale: Fixed Blades (Individual) For Sale: Folding Knives (Individual) For Sale: Automatic Knives (Individual) For Sale: Axes, Hatchets & Tomahawks For Sale: Traditionals, Slipjoints, "Old Timey" For Sale: Custom Knives (Individual) For Sale: Gadgets & Gear (Individual) Trading Forums Trade: Knives & Tools Trade: Gadgets & Gear Wanted to Buy Forums Wanted to buy: Gadgets & Gear Wanted to Buy: Knives International (Non-US) For Sale & Trade Forums Asia Africa & the Middle East Canada Europe & Russia Central & South America
• Categories Knife Discussion Knifemakers Hosted Knifemakers Manufacturer Forums Community Tech Support
• Forums New posts
• What's new Featured content New posts New resources Latest activity
• Resources Latest reviews

Log in Register What's new

• New posts

Menu Log in Register Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope that you all have something to be grateful for this year and for many years to come

• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/

• Knife Specific Discussion
• Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. How ToFix a wooden handle that went in the dishwasher

• Thread starter Thread starter atlasn12
• Start date Start date Jan 18, 2019

A

atlasn12

Joined Jan 18, 2019 Messages 1 I have a set of kitchen knives that are pretty old but have lasted extremely well. I'm not sure what wood the handles are made out of. An overzealous cleaner unfortunately put a couple of them through the dishwasher, and the handles have turned extremely pale. I'd like to get them back to at least looking similar to the others in the set, and presumably they need something to protect them, but I have no idea where to even start. Any tips would be gratefully received - I've not tried to do anything like this before so keeping it simple would be great.

Obsessed with Edges

Joined Apr 12, 2009 Messages 13,546 I've once used so-called 'Danish Oil' (Watco brand) to finish a walnut handle on an Opinel of mine, after I'd reshaped it. It's a hard-curing finish, and works pretty well to seal the wood. Apply it in maybe 3 very, very light & thin coats, wiped on with a clean rag (old cotton t-shirt works well) and allowing it time to dry thoroughly between each coat (I'd give it a few hours at least, or up to a full day, depending on local humidity). If it's drying or curing very slowly, you'll notice a tacky feel to it when you touch it. Sanding the wood before doing so might be a good idea, maybe up to something like ~320 or so. As stripped of color and (probably) moisture as that handle looks, you might notice the wood drinking up a lot of that Danish oil. Even so, be very careful about over-applying it, as it'll get too heavy to cure completely (leaves a soft & gummy mess which may never fully harden). I've since reshaped and refinished the handle on that same knife again (just to thin the handle some more; no issues with the finish itself, as it was). 2nd time around, I used a different finish and a more tedious method. But here are a couple pics of how it looked after the Danish Oil treatment, which was very easy to get done, which is why I suggest it here. I used the clear (unstained) finish, first sanding the bare wood up to maybe ~800 - 1000 or so (maybe overkill, past a certain point). You can get the Danish oil in stain-enhanced 'colors' as well. I think one option is a Walnut finish, which would probably help bring some color back to that faded handle (looks like it could be walnut or maybe some form of rosewood, both common on knives like these). The clear version with no added stain won't darken the wood much, but may add a little amber(ish) tone to lighter woods, when cured. This is just one suggestion. I'd loiter around a bit more, and wait for others to offer theirs as well. Lots of ways to get it done, so it's good to consider as many options as you can, before diving in. Last edited: Jan 18, 2019 O

OldNavy

Joined Sep 14, 2013 Messages 326 Boos Mystery oil. it's NSF certified for wood food prep surfaces, Butcher Blocks, cutting boards etc. 2 or 3 coats about 15 min apart to soak in then wipe down with a clean rag. J

jpm2

Joined Nov 19, 2014 Messages 2,177 I've used tung oil for all hand tools with wood since the 80's. All my wood handle knives get it. From what I've read and heard from wood workers, Danish oil is similar but... different, and would be my distant 2nd choice for a wood knife handle. Here's a brief comparison. https://refinishingfurniture.net/tung-oil-vs-linseed-oil/ You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

• Knife Specific Discussion
• Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

Back Top Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data