Hi. I just purchased a new straight razor with wood scales and somebody in the comments mentioned he used oil on scales to protect them. Is it a good idea to do that?
Scott, I don't think it was you. Here is the straight razor that I purchased 2019 Limited Edition The Blades Grim Straight - https://www.classicshaving.com/products/2019-limited-edition-the-blades-grim-straight and if see the review from Phillip Sorenson, he is the one who did that.
My Bismarck and Flowing have very dense, black wood. The first is ebony, I believe, and the second is grenadilla (clarinet wood). Both are relatively impervious to moisture.
I think this sums it up well - it depends on the type of wood. Though you always want to keep the scales dry, some woods are not bothered by a little moisture like the humidity of a bathroom. Other woods, like Olive, though its often used for both scales and bowls, are not particularly resistant to rot.
Olive | The Wood Database (Hardwood)
www.wood-database.com
Those scales are beautiful. Well done!Danish Oil is some great stuff. I used it on these matte finished maple scales and the grain just exploded out! I am very happy with the results.
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I don't put anything on my ebony scales, they seem fine.