As we've previously indicated, it's critical to take good care of your kitchen knives. Many people, on the other hand, neglect to care for their knife handles, which is bad for the knives' longevity. If you don't want to end up with a squeaky, dried-out handle, pay just as much attention to it as you do to the blade. Now we'll show you how to properly care for your wooden knife handles in order to extend their life.

Although some varieties of wood are more vulnerable than others, a wooden handle will feel much better with a few drops of oil every now and again. Oiling the handle not only helps it seem finer, but it also keeps it from drying out and splitting. You should also keep in mind that not all hardwood handles can be greased. A handle that has already been polished or painted will not be able to absorb oil.

Maintenance: 

Wash and immediately dry the knife by hand to avoid wearing it out in the dishwasher. Remember to never leave it soaking in the water or under direct sunlight. Both of these things can damage the handle for good. Just store it in a knife rack or a drawer away from other tools that can damage it. Make sure to oil the handle frequently. Some people can’t be bothered, so they use olive oil, which you can do too, however, you must know that after a while it could get rancid and start to smell slightly stale. To avoid this, we’ll introduce you to some of the more appropriate oils for wood care. 

Ballistol oil 

This might be the best one out there if you can ignore the strong smell, although some people love the pine forest notes. It was Originally developed as oil for weapons but now it’s used for the maintenance of many different materials. Ballistol can be used on all types of wood, with the exception of handles that have been painted, of course. It is an oil that revives dry wood…

Danish oil 

This oil has been praised by woodworkers for years and we’re glad to say that it can be used for kitchen knife handles as well. Just remember to wipe off the excess oil with a dry cloth because if you leave it, a lacquer layer will form, which is not ideal especially for a knife handle. 

Linseed oil 

This one also has a long history. It works the same as with Danish oil. You need to apply a thin coat, let it set and rub it afterwards to remove access oil, which you don’t want to dry. 

How to apply oil to a wooden kitchen knife handle: 

1. Spray some oil on a clean and dry cloth. 
2. Apply it gently and equally on the handle.
3. Allow the handle to absorb it for a couple of minutes and wipe it out with another clean cloth. 
4. Repeat this process until the wood is saturated, which you’ll know when the wood stops absorbing any more oil. 

In conclusion: If you invested money into buying a gorgeous handmade kitchen knife with a wooden handle, you can definitely invest some time into maintaining it. That’s your guarantee of longevity.