Will wood normally corrode knives?

[tonyfromky]

I'm thinking of making a little box to put a SS D4 in (it's a gift.)

I was thinking red oak, maple, or walnut.

Does anyone know if seasoned wood will cause SS to corrode?

[brainus]

Perhaps if there's a concern about it, you could wrap it in some nice cloth.

[cockroach]

I know coin collectors cabinets should be made from mahogany and not oak, as the oak will tarnish coins. As for stainless knives, who knows?

[Brad S.]

All of the woods you mentioned should be just fine. They are all standard American hardwoods that are non-toxic. None of them are especially oily, or leach any sort of residue that is acidic.
I've been a woodworker most of my life (professionally) I keep most of my tools in wooden cabinets made of the same materials and never had any sort of problems. I also store all of my knives in a Mahogany box with an oak drawer and never had any problems (I have stored them like this for at least 3 years).

I would say go for it. Just avoid the more exotic woods (Rosewood, Cocobolo, bubinga, one that are especially oily)

Oh and of course post photos when its finished


Brad

[The Deacon]

Walnut is used extensively for gunstocks, and, to a lesser extent maple is as well, or at least was in the past. Both are also used for knife handle scales. Those applications place the wood in constant and direct contact with steel and, in the case of firearms, non-stainless steel more often than not. Same goes for many of the exotic woods. Rosewood and cocobolo have been used for years to make handgun grips and darn near every hardwood on the planet has wound up as scales on at least a few knives.