The care and maintenance of wooden handles for tools, especially those attached to tools for gardening and construction-site work, can sometimes be at the bottom of the agenda. As a matter of fact, many buyers seem to be wondering: “who has time to waste in the care of a tool?”
In fact, the maintenance and care of wooden handles is not a whim, but a tried and true tradition. Moreover, if repeated frequently and correctly, this can also significantly extend the life of your tools! ! In a rather limited amount of time, you will save money, especially when following the tricks of the trade of our experts.
As a company that has been building wooden handles for over a century, we at Foppoli Bramin are definitely experts in the subject and want to share our secrets with you!
Care of wooden handles, our secrets
As previously mentioned, it is important to take proper care of the wooden handles, in order to keep them in good condition over time. Here are our recommendations:
Cleaning – Removing dirt and mud from wooden handles is already a good step forward to take care of them. After usage, clean the wooden handles of the tools with a soft brush or a damp sponge, avoiding too much pressure and, above all, do not use too much water, which could damage the wood in the long run. Remember to use only lukewarm water and a mild cleanser.
Drying – After cleaning the wooden handles, dry them thoroughly with a dry cloth and leave them outdoors, however not near direct heat sources or under the summer sun.
Lubrication – To prevent wooden handles from drying out and cracking, we recommend to lubricate them regularly with a wood oil or furniture wax. The best oils for this purpose are usually flaxseed oil and, the less common, teak oil. However, make sure you choose a product suitable for the type of wood used for the handles.
Finishing – Foppoli Bramin wooden handles are already treated to withstand the worst weather conditions, as well as tough wear and tear, but over time you can use a protective wax to restore the protection film from mold and moisture.
Storage – Keeping gardening and construction tools in a dry place and away from high heat sources is the best strategy to keep them safe from external agents. Do not leave them outside, but rather store them and if you use them rarely cover or store them in an airtight container in order to avoid the accumulation of moisture.
Repair – If the handles become damaged, it is important to repair them immediately in order to avoid further damage. Repair can be simple, as in the case of gluing a crack or filling a hole, or more complicated as in the case of replacing a broken piece of wood. It goes without saying that if the damage is very serious, it is better to replace the handle or tool for safety reasons at work.
Preventive care – For the most rigorous owners, there are finally some preventive treatments on the market in order to extend the life of the wood, such as fungal treatments to avoid rotting and mold or heat treatments to make the wood more resistant to moisture. These treatments can be applied before the use of the handles. However, high-quality wooden handles have already received this treatment during the production phase.
As you may have gathered, taking care of wooden handles for gardening and construction tools takes some time and care. However, with a few simple actions, it may become a daily routine. In just a few weeks, your tools will be more durable, beautiful and safe, without much effort. So give it a try: seeing is believing!
