What to consider before buying a wooden handle knife?

Since the creation of knives, wood has been a common option for handle material. There are several justifications for attaching a wooden handle to a blade, whether they are practical or purely decorative. There isn't a single type of hardwood knife handle, and that is one of its beauties.

Each type of wood, including maple, oak, ebony, walnut, teak, and others, has unique properties. This article will cover all you need to know about wooden knife handles, a checklist of qualities to look for in a knife that has one, and buying tips.

What is a wooden handle knife?

Wooden-handle knives are, to put it simply, any kitchen knife or other cutter that has a full or semi-tang handle made of wood.The wide range of possibilities and chemical combinations that harden the wood make it the ideal handle material, which has been the most often used alternative for generations.

Nowadays, wooden knife handles are still a common choice, and most kitchen knives—especially those that are handmade—come with one. Here are some of our suggestions for wooden-handled knives.

Things to consider before buying a wooden handle knife

You've decided that you want a knife with a wooden handle, which will already rule out a lot of the possibilities that are shown to you. However, this does not mean that this is the only factor you need to take into account. A kitchen knife should include all the features you would expect.

You have a wide range of choices when it comes to the sort of wood to search for in a knife handle.Since the wood is sanded and polished to better withstand moisture, it typically lends more aesthetic appeal to the handle than usefulness.

Hardwood is preferred for producing knives because it is thick, less porous, and has fine grains. Common hardwoods are used to make handles, including oak, teak, meranti, and ebony. Ebony is a particularly outstanding option since it is one of the densest timbers; it is so dense that it cannot even float on water.

However, with time and usage, the compounds that make your knife more robust will deteriorate and lose their effectiveness. When that occurs, how long the handle lasts before needing to be replaced will depend on the sort of wood utilized.Although this process happens over an extended period, it’s still worth considering.

Wood vs. other materials in knife handles

Other than wood, there are various knife handle materials. Leather is a possibility if you want your handles to be natural, but it is vulnerable to degradation and shrinking in wet settings. It doesn't sound like a recipe for decent kitchen knives, for sure.

Metal, on the other hand, is more popular these days as a material for non-natural knife handles. Even the handles are not always made independently by all knife makers. Instead, they simultaneously forge the handle and the blade. This kind of knife surely has a beautiful appearance, but it frequently has a high price. Others struggle with equilibrium, although stamped knives don't have this difficulty as much.

There are other typical handle materials, such as carbon fiber, but these handles are mainly for military knives, and those that have found a home in kitchen knives—like anything carbon fiber—are much more expensive.

Caring tips for wooden handle knives

Despite being robust, especially after going through several steps to create a handle, wood is nonetheless vulnerable to several things. Long-term exposure to water may cause the wood to become softer. As a result, the wood is less resistant to further moisture, and the constant soaking and drying process increases the likelihood that the handle may distort or split. Always hand-wash your knives and never use the dishwasher, no matter how unclean it is, to prevent this. In addition to harming the handle, the chemicals and intense heat also harm the blade.

Applying the same mineral oil you use to protect a high-carbon steel blade will prevent water from permeating the surface because moisture is the biggest issue with hardwood handles. A barrier already exists between the wood and moisture thanks to the paint and polish. One of the finest things you can do if you see the polish fading is to revive it with mineral oil or another oil that is suitable for the wood.

Applying the oil only requires a very small amount. Using a paper towel, coat the handle with oil evenly. Apply the oil as often as necessary until the wood is completely covered.You can also leave the handle soak in a cup of oil. Other than these, you can repaint or repolish the handle.