Hello everyone,
I often see "burnt chestnut" handles on Japanese knives (I also just ordered one). I browsed the web a bit, and knife handles seem the only object where this wood is mentioned; chestnut wood used by woodworkers is paler and, well, not burnt.
So is it, like the name implies, chestnut wood that has been burnt, or is it just a reference to the color? If burnt, is it only the outer layer? What is the process? Is it a traditional material for Japanese knives?
Also, how should someone care for that wood? Can tung oil (or similar) be used to protect the finish? Would it damage its "still grippy when wet" natural attributes?
Cheers
I often see "burnt chestnut" handles on Japanese knives (I also just ordered one). I browsed the web a bit, and knife handles seem the only object where this wood is mentioned; chestnut wood used by woodworkers is paler and, well, not burnt.
So is it, like the name implies, chestnut wood that has been burnt, or is it just a reference to the color? If burnt, is it only the outer layer? What is the process? Is it a traditional material for Japanese knives?
Also, how should someone care for that wood? Can tung oil (or similar) be used to protect the finish? Would it damage its "still grippy when wet" natural attributes?
Cheers