1. Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture
Natural wood and other comparable materials may soak up water, so if the handle is exposed to damp for a long time, it may enlarge, break, or decay. Avoiding too much moisture is especially important when the handle is in a humid place.
Suggestions for upkeep:
After using the cutting tool, quickly wipe the handle with a dry cloth to get rid of any moisture.
Don't let the tool sit in water for a long time when you clean the handle. If the tool gets wet by accident, use a soft cloth to dry it off carefully so that it doesn't rub against anything too hard.
2. Clean and grease your tools on a regular basis.
To keep the handle shiny and stop it from cracking, you need to clean it often and put protective grease on it. You can use mineral oil, vegetable oil, or a specific wood care oil. These oils can offer an extra layer of protection to the handle, keeping the wood from drying out and cracking.
Suggestions for taking care of it:
Every few months, use mineral oil, olive oil, or a specific wood care oil to carefully wipe the handle.
Use mild soapy water or special cleaning products when you clean. Don't use harsh chemical cleaners, since they could harm the handle's surface.
3. Stay away from direct sunshine and high temperatures
High heat and intense sunshine can make the handle material age faster, which can cause the colour to fade, the surface to dry up, cracks to appear, or the handle to change shape. They are especially sensitive to changes in temperature when they are made of natural wood or animal horn.
Tips for keeping it in good shape:
Keep the Damascus knife out of the sun and in a cool, dry area.
Never put knives near stoves, hot water pipes, or ovens, which are all sources of heat.
4. Check the knife handle's mending status often
Over time, the connection between the handle and blade of a Damascus knife may become loose. This is especially true for handles that are held in place with screws. Check the handle's fastening often to make sure that the connection between the handle and the blade is strong and sturdy.
Tips for keeping things in good shape:
Check the handle's fixing screws often to make sure they aren't loose. If you find that something is loose, please use the right tools to tighten it.
If the connection between the handle and the blade is cracked or loose, it should be fixed or replaced right away.
5. Don't touch chemicals
When knife handles come into contact with chemicals, solvents, or paint, they can easily get damaged. This is especially true for natural materials like cow horns, ivory, wood, and so on. Chemicals can change the colour of the handle, make it fade, or even shatter it.
Suggestions for upkeep:
When using cutting tools, stay away from paint, solvents, and other harsh substances.
When you clean, don't use cleaning products that have harsh chemicals in them. Instead, use gentle soapy water.
6. Protect the handle of the knife with a scabbard
The scabbard protects the blade and the handle from scratches and bumps, which is especially important for beautiful handmade knife handles. If you utilize the scabbard correctly, it can keep the handle from getting scratched, damaged, or worn down.
Ideas for keeping things in good shape:
When you're not using the tool, put it back in the sheath so that the handle doesn't touch hard things.
To keep the handle from being affected by a humid atmosphere, the inside of the scabbard should stay dry.
7. Proper grinding and polishing
The surface of the handle may get a little worn or scratched over time, especially if it is made of wood. Not only can proper grinding and polishing bring back the elegance of the handle, but they can also keep it from getting worse.
Suggestions for care:
To get rid of scratches or stains, lightly sand the handle's surface with fine sandpaper.
Use wood-specific polishing wax to bring back the shine to the handle.
