Hunting Knife Restoration Tips Sought

kronckew · 6th May 2015, 08:03 AM

just to expand on AGM's fine info. lignum vitae is/was used in stern tube bearing & seals around the hull penetration of large low speed ship's propeller shafts. the seals used a trickle of water to lubricate and cool the wood bearing. lignum vitae essentially doesn't absorb water and is very hard and wear eresistant in this service. it also is denser than water (it sinks) and is not only expensive, but hard to find any more, the true LV is an endangered species, but small chunks for gun grips and knife handles can be found. wear a dust mask if you DIY (LV has medicinal uses when powdered). i used to see a lot of it around ship yards in sea ports as the wood was installed in dovetailed strips and needed replacement every decade or so. that source has dried up. modern seals are mechanical oil seals. great when they work, but a horror if they leak.

LV also makes nice clubs and walking sticks.

and it looks really cool polished up. also traditional for carver's mallets, marlin spikes, gavels, lawn bowls, wooden jars, etc.

A. G. Maisey · 7th May 2015, 11:59 PM

This is what lignum vitae looks like.

Rick · 8th May 2015, 01:21 AM

I have a good sized LV carver's mallet; you keep it waxed or it will check; it's a heavy bugger .

Good for deadeyes also IIRC .

S.Workman · 8th May 2015, 10:45 AM

Turns out I have some LV, I have a piece of propeller bearing, I just didn't know what it was. I am a snitcher and hoarder of wood from way back, I have a million pieces of wood from all over. After. Working over the metal on these knives, I doubt I'll use wood, there are just too many irregularities and it seems from inspecting the old examples that the stuff just compresses into form.
Would it be correct to say that the fiber material just replaces leather or other organic material in a very old method of fashioning grips?

A. G. Maisey · 8th May 2015, 12:34 PM

I reckon that they used the fibre and brass and whatever else simply to make the handle look a bit more attractive. I used the couple of bits of brass shim for the same reason, just to break the monotony of all leather.

I've never seen a really old knife with a compressed leather hilt, probably 1920's or 1930's might be about as old as I've ever seen for one of these sort of hilts. They might have been around earlier, I don't know.

6th May 2015, 08:03 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	just to expand on AGM's fine info. lignum vitae is/was used in stern tube bearing & seals around the hull penetration of large low speed ship's propeller shafts. the seals used a trickle of water to lubricate and cool the wood bearing. lignum vitae essentially doesn't absorb water and is very hard and wear eresistant in this service. it also is denser than water (it sinks) and is not only expensive, but hard to find any more, the true LV is an endangered species, but small chunks for gun grips and knife handles can be found. wear a dust mask if you DIY (LV has medicinal uses when powdered). i used to see a lot of it around ship yards in sea ports as the wood was installed in dovetailed strips and needed replacement every decade or so. that source has dried up. modern seals are mechanical oil seals. great when they work, but a horror if they leak. LV also makes nice clubs and walking sticks. and it looks really cool polished up. also traditional for carver's mallets, marlin spikes, gavels, lawn bowls, wooden jars, etc. Last edited by kronckew; 6th May 2015 at 08:16 AM.

7th May 2015, 11:59 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	This is what lignum vitae looks like. Attached Images

8th May 2015, 01:21 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I have a good sized LV carver's mallet; you keep it waxed or it will check; it's a heavy bugger . Good for deadeyes also IIRC .

8th May 2015, 10:45 AM	#4
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	Turns out I have some LV, I have a piece of propeller bearing, I just didn't know what it was. I am a snitcher and hoarder of wood from way back, I have a million pieces of wood from all over. After. Working over the metal on these knives, I doubt I'll use wood, there are just too many irregularities and it seems from inspecting the old examples that the stuff just compresses into form. Would it be correct to say that the fiber material just replaces leather or other organic material in a very old method of fashioning grips?

8th May 2015, 12:34 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	I reckon that they used the fibre and brass and whatever else simply to make the handle look a bit more attractive. I used the couple of bits of brass shim for the same reason, just to break the monotony of all leather. I've never seen a really old knife with a compressed leather hilt, probably 1920's or 1930's might be about as old as I've ever seen for one of these sort of hilts. They might have been around earlier, I don't know.