Hi, I have had a handmade hunting/camping knife made for me by a Japanese Bladesmith. The handle is cherry blossom and the sheath is Ho wood. Australian authorities have decided there is raw bark on the handle and ordered it to be heat dried for 8 hours at 85 degrees Celsius. The timber has been naturally dried for 6 months. I have given them the go ahead, but would anyone have an opinion as to whether this will damage the handle, or if, it is of use to re/oil the handle after this treatment. and any suggestions please. thanks.
Quarantined
Oct 28, 2004
1 Replies
Is the handle merely oiled? If so, brighten it up when returned, and press on. Not that you'd convince a government minion of it, but if the thing is lacquered, it's about a disinfected as it can be, in my opinion. Since oiled bark would almost certainly have come off with handling, that's my bet.
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