Damascus/Wood Scales Maintenance

[Grass]

Hi Everyone!

Recently having acquired my first wood scaled SAK - a 2012 Damascus Solider - I'm wondering if the wood needs any care over time.

It looks a bit dry; and I am in a relatively hot climate. I see for some Vic kitchen knives they recommend a little olive oil occasionally. It's a different type of wood though and I am not sure what impact different woods would have on the appropriate treatment.

Does anyone maintain the scales on wood SAK's? If so, what do you do?

Cheeers!

[LoneWolf2014]

Some reading:
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,43534.msg721189.html#msg721189
 

[dks]

There are many answers to your question... some may use a commercial product (I use teac oil on wooden handles, but never needed to do that on a SAK), some use various household/machineoils and some claim that the oil from your hands is enough....

If you are really interested you may also contact victorinox and see what they suggest.

Using the"wrong" wood treating product may change the colour of the wood, affecting its value.

The wood used will be treated and stabilised, so, if you do not use it, it should not really require any treatment, for many years.

[shibafu]

If the wood is stabilised, i.e. resin-impregnated, then it should never need any treatment, other than perhaps polishing if it gets scratched or dull.
If it's finished in some way, you need to know what the existing finish is.  If lacquered or varnished, oil won't penetrate, so won't do any good unless you remove the surface finish first.  If it's bare wood or oiled, you can apply more oil.  I'd avoid a vegetable oil like olive oil, they can "go off" over time.  If you want to use a non-setting oil, you can buy something like salad bowl oil, or mineral oil (sold in pharmacies as a laxative).  I believe some nut oils are also resistant to going rancid.  Personally I like an oil that cures to a harder finish like Danish oil or Tung oil.  But as mentioned previously they will usually affect the colour of the wood to some extent.

[Grass]

Thanks for the great advice! I've decided not to mess with it for the time being!