It's that time of the year in the Tropics again...

A. G. Maisey · 12th December 2009, 09:02 PM

David, for anybody living in a low humidity climate, and in some air conditioned atmospheres, wood care is a matter of primary concern.

Not only will shellac crack and peel, but the wood itself will crack. I have sent perfect hilts to places like Ontario (air con), and Utah (dry) and have received reports of severe cracking.

The same thing will happen with ivory, and for that reason most ivory collectors I know keep a tumbler of water in with their ivories. I don't know if this does much good, it seems to be a general practice.

In Jawa we accept that certain woods need to be treated very carefully. Probably the most prestigious Javanese hilt wood is tayuman, but an old tradition says that hilts of this wood should never be worn during daylight hours, and that sunlight must never touch them. This is because this wood is very subject to cracking.

I really don't know how to prevent this cracking problem.

I do know that custom knife makers usually will not gaurantee handles from natural materials --- they can't afford to, because of this cracking problem.

I feel that regular use of a good furniture oil, something like the old-time Sheraton, might help prevent cracking, but I really don't know.

Rick · 13th December 2009, 01:24 AM

Funny, I live in a similar enviornment to Alan's; only difference is I am situated on a tidal salt marsh in the Northern Hemi .

You never saw Silver tarnish so fast !

Must be low tide .

We heat with wood; a kettle is always on the stove .

Moshah · 22nd December 2009, 03:46 PM

Hi Alan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The same thing will happen with ivory, and for that reason most ivory collectors I know keep a tumbler of water in with their ivories. I don't know if this does much good, it seems to be a general practice.

How exactly they did that?

A. G. Maisey · 22nd December 2009, 07:48 PM

Ivories in display cabinet along with a small container of water.

Moshah · 23rd December 2009, 10:11 AM

Ah.

I've seen this kind of thing, in a form of an opened cup filled with water, isn't it?

Thanks alan.

There are also old documentaries in Malay which show people soak / wash buffalo horn with water and black ashes. Ashes of what origin, and soaking for preserving etc...i don't know, still too young to care at that moment of time. Perhaps there are archives accessible within the broadcasting bodies.

12th December 2009, 09:02 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	David, for anybody living in a low humidity climate, and in some air conditioned atmospheres, wood care is a matter of primary concern. Not only will shellac crack and peel, but the wood itself will crack. I have sent perfect hilts to places like Ontario (air con), and Utah (dry) and have received reports of severe cracking. The same thing will happen with ivory, and for that reason most ivory collectors I know keep a tumbler of water in with their ivories. I don't know if this does much good, it seems to be a general practice. In Jawa we accept that certain woods need to be treated very carefully. Probably the most prestigious Javanese hilt wood is tayuman, but an old tradition says that hilts of this wood should never be worn during daylight hours, and that sunlight must never touch them. This is because this wood is very subject to cracking. I really don't know how to prevent this cracking problem. I do know that custom knife makers usually will not gaurantee handles from natural materials --- they can't afford to, because of this cracking problem. I feel that regular use of a good furniture oil, something like the old-time Sheraton, might help prevent cracking, but I really don't know.

13th December 2009, 01:24 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Funny, I live in a similar enviornment to Alan's; only difference is I am situated on a tidal salt marsh in the Northern Hemi . You never saw Silver tarnish so fast ! Must be low tide . We heat with wood; a kettle is always on the stove .

22nd December 2009, 07:48 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Ivories in display cabinet along with a small container of water.

23rd December 2009, 10:11 AM	#5
Moshah Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 171	Ah. I've seen this kind of thing, in a form of an opened cup filled with water, isn't it? Thanks alan. There are also old documentaries in Malay which show people soak / wash buffalo horn with water and black ashes. Ashes of what origin, and soaking for preserving etc...i don't know, still too young to care at that moment of time. Perhaps there are archives accessible within the broadcasting bodies.