FAQ: Do Wooden Knife Handles Shrink?

At KnivesShipFree, we sell a lot of wood handled knives.  And if you have ever taken a look at Bark River Knives or the Northwoods Knife line, you know how beautiful wood handles can be.

So the question is, "Do wooden knife handles shrink?"

This question is usually based on some of us have handled old knives that have the tang exposed a little all around the handle making the tang feel a bit proud to the edge of the handle.

The answer is that wood moves.  It is what wood does.  It expands and contracts based on the moisture and temperature.  Knife makers do all they can to minimize this.

Some wood handles are stabilized.  Resin is impregnated into the wood, making the handle very stable as far as wood goes.  You can still experience some expanding and contracting, but it is significantly reduced.

Personally, I find wood handled knives so appealing, the expansion and contraction doesn't bother me.  If it did, I would just opt for micartas and G-10.