Waxing a knife?

[Fletch Helical]

I was reading some posts here and on KD and noticed some reference to waxing a blade once it's finished. What exactly is this process and what kind of wax is used? I'm guessing the wax is to protect it from scratches??

 

[amcardon]

I wax my knives to protect from rust/oxidation... Same idea as oiling them.

 

[wnease]

i just shave them before we go out...

 

[Fletch Helical]

Is there a special wax that is used or is something like plain old car wax sufficient?

 

[scotsmanspride]

I use a beeswax/mineral oil mix product that works GREAT! helps keep down on rust for longer than oil and also use this a wood finish applied and then buffed in with a wheel on my dremel. It is food safe as well. I have also used this on some furniture and had outstanding results. Stay away from things like car wax as it is well.... not edible and could potentially be unsafe if you forgot.http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021064/24112/George-s-Club-House-Wax-4-Ounces.aspx

 

[Mike Hull]

Is there a special wax that is used or is something like plain old car wax sufficient?

Carnauba containing car wax works well.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Plain neutral paste shoe polish.

 

[NStricker]

Rennaissance Wax is popular with many makers.

 

[DiverTexas]

Rennaissance Wax is popular with many makers.

Recently bought some of this. Amazing stuff.

 

[Jason Fry]

Rennaissance Wax is popular with many makers.

I'll second that.

 

[White Rabbit]

Paste wax is the best IMO. I use it on everything in my shop from finished knives to basically every unpainted (and some painted) steel surfaces. For heavy users/choppers I usually just stuff some down the sheath so the blade stays coated through heavy use. Not only does it protect the finish from rust and minor scratching, but it also makes the blade much easier to clean plant/wood residue off of without using solvents or re-buffing.

Its probably more used than WD-40 in my shop if that indicates anything ;P

 

[coolhandluke4]

I use Rennaissance wax, it's great, especially at shows where everyone's touching the knives. Fingerprints wipe right off

 

[childzplay]

I use Rennaissance Wax too. It's not cheap but a little really goes a long way.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

Ren wax seems to be the first choice among most makers I have seen. On my first kit knife, I applied Meguire's NXT Gen Tech-Wax 2.0 that I had in my shop for waxing my truck. I put it on with an orbital Mequire's car buffer and did a final polish with a microfiber. It put a fantastic finish on the blade, fingerprints wipe off with little to no effort.

 

[RICKSTER]

Rennaissance Wax Is The Best :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Excellent For Guns & Knives :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[arrowhead]

I just make knives for fun and give them away. I've used plain ol' Johnson's Paste Wax on all my guns and bought knives for over 35 years. It works.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You guys are getting taken! Ren Wax is meant for objects that won't be handled.
Use neutral shoe polish. It holds up better and is much less expensive.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

If Ren Wax is not meant for objects that get handled, then why is it highly recommended by pen turners? I'm sure the neutral polish works well too though, but if pen turners recommend the ren wax for a finish that holds up, I'd say it works well.

 

[safta]

I have used Ren wax, and couldn't see any difference than using plain paste wax that costs about 9 bucks a pound. Of course this only applies to the handles, I would never put it on a blade I intended to use.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Well, I have tried them side by side. Shoe polish works better.