Handle Care
The handle is part of the knife.
A great blade deserves a handle that feels just as good in the hand.
Many Japanese or artisan knife handles use natural materials such as timber, which means they require a little more consideration than synthetic handles.
Keep it dry
The most important rule:
Don't soak your knife.
Never leave a wooden-handled knife sitting in water or submerged in a sink.
Prolonged exposure to water can cause natural timber to swell, shrink, crack or loosen over time.
After use
WASH
Clean the handle with warm water and mild detergent.
DRY
Dry the handle immediately.
Pay attention to the area where the handle meets the blade.
STORE
Keep the knife somewhere dry and away from excessive heat or humidity.
Avoid extreme conditions
Natural timber responds to its environment.
Avoid leaving your knife:
- Beside a hot stove
- In direct sunlight
- In a dishwasher
- Soaking in water
- In extremely humid conditions
- In an enclosed damp storage area
Caring for natural timber
Different woods behave differently.
Some handles are naturally oily and dense.
Others are lighter and more porous.
For that reason, don't automatically oil every handle with the same product.
If your Kenrō knife's handle requires conditioning, use a suitable food-safe product appropriate for the specific timber.
If you're unsure:
Ask us before applying anything.
If the handle moves
If you notice:
- Movement
- Cracking
- Separation
- A gap between handle and blade
- Unusual swelling
Stop using the knife and contact us.
Don't attempt to glue or repair the handle yourself.
A professional assessment may prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one.
Your handle will change
Natural materials aren't manufactured to remain perfectly identical.
Timber can develop:
- Deeper colour
- Subtle marks
- Changes in grain appearance
- A smoother feel with use
That's part of the character of a natural material.
Your knife shouldn't look exactly the same after ten years as it did on day one.
That's the point.