All About Pocket Knives

I have pocket knives that are 30-90 years old with stag handles. I have read that it is good to use food grade mineral oil on the stag to preserve it. What would be proper way to do this? Could I just immerse entire knife in the oil and if so, for how long, or should I just wipe the stag down with the oil?

Randy, I just wipe down stag with mineral oil. If it’s old stag, you might want to reapply a second or third coat.

Randy1944 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:00 am I have pocket knives that are 30-90 years old with stag handles. I have read that it is good to use food grade mineral oil on the stag to preserve it. What would be proper way to do this? Could I just immerse entire knife in the oil and if so, for how long, or should I just wipe the stag down with the oil?

I just wipe it, but let it sit for about 5 days, the stag will absorb most of the oil, then wipe down removing any excess. Never had an issue.

I am not an expert on the subject but I have read experts who have said that oil can soften stag if too much is used, and went on to say that wax might be better, like Renaissance Wax or Walker's Wax. I have also read and can attest by experience that most oils will soften, swell and eventually ruin most leather. But that is another subject.

When I apply mineral oil to my stag knife handles, I use a Q-tip to coat the stag then let it sit overnight. The next day I wipe away all the oil that will come off the surface of the stag. It leaves the stag rejuvenated with a shining appearance but does not seem to have any detrimental effects.

Many thanks to all. Just the information I wanted.

Randy1944 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:49 am Many thanks to all. Just the information I wanted.

Another thing i meant to mention was, this method i only do every 2-3 years, that has seemed sufficient for me. Especially if it is a carrier, the natural oils in your hand will suffice. This method has worked very well for me over a long time, also on bone.

philco wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:31 am When I apply mineral oil to my stag knife handles, I use a Q-tip to coat the stag then let it sit overnight. The next day I wipe away all the oil that will come off the surface of the stag. It leaves the stag rejuvenated with a shining appearance but does not seem to have any detrimental effects.

What philco said

Just this week I began going over my entire collection. I use food grade mineral oil on both handles and blades. Formerly, I used Rennasaince Wax but the process was simply too time consuming. With the oil wipe down of the blades I have never had rust or spotting issues develop in even my longest held knives. I do use wax on a few very costly knives.

Purposely applying oil to stag will soften, darken, and ruin it.
Stag is pretty resilient stuff-but it will absorb oil and if you get enough on it to soak in, it will eventually ruin it. Stag does not contain oil naturally. A good coat of paste wax is the best thing for stag.

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 5:24 am Purposely applying oil to stag will soften, darken, and ruin it.
Stag is pretty resilient stuff-but it will absorb oil and if you get enough on it to soak in, it will eventually ruin it. Stag does not contain oil naturally. A good coat of paste wax is the best thing for stag.

Bill,
If using paste wax, what particular brand would you recommend ?

Johnson's Paste wax, neutral paste shoe polish.
You can use a shoe brush or similar to buff the wax in the lower portions of the stag.

If mineral oil is used I would use pharmaceutical grade mineral oil ( you can ask your
pharmacist where on shelf it is located) - -should be in the laxative section.

This mineral oil should be more pure than most mineral oils ( sans coming from
a crooked pharmaceutical company in India/Pakistan/China.

I apply a light coat on all my knives at least once a year

Bob