Thread: Olivewood stinks

literally.

I finally found a good razor (my second one ) for which to use the piece of olivewood I bought a long time ago. As I was sawing it, I suddenly discovered why it was coated witha thin film of wax when I bought it. Man that stuff smells something bad.

It should smell just like olive oil, if it doesn't then I would be suspect of it...

If it was waxed, it was probably not kiln or air dried.... which could mean trouble down the road. If it was REALLY green when it was waxed, and has been sitting around for a while you might have a fungus or bacteria rotting in the wood (hence the smell) .... do be careful! Anaerobic nasties will often have SO4 or such as a byproduct.... what is the aroma here?

Far frrom an expert here, but I'm with them. All olivewood I have worked has a pleasant aroma (unless you hate the scent of Olive Oil).

Also, as "B" already pointed out, if it is too green, it probably will mean problems down the road. I'll take that one step further and say you DEFINITELY WILL have problems down the road. I have several brush handles that were absolutely stunning, then several weeks out they ALL developed hairline cracks all over from the drying. I thought it was plenty dry and it wasn't!

The wax sealed it off from oxygen creating a favourable environment for molds.

Say it ain't so!! I get my olivewood from Belle Forest Products in Michigan. I think the wax coating is to protect it from moisture and mine never stinks.

Rich

“Always do right. This will gratify some people & astonish the rest” – Mark Twain

The olivewood items I own, from a mortar and pestle, some serving forks and some beads smell wonderful just like fine olive oil.

Chris L

The wax is most likely PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) it used to keep the wood from drying too fast or unevenly. It helps prevent cracking. Just scrape it off before you start to work on the wood.

Charlie

The wood is nice and brown. It seems dry.

I probably should have mentioned that I HATE the smell of olives.
The wood reeks like olives, but the smell is more 'wooden'
Silly description , I know...

Spazola is probably right that it wasn't real wax, because it felt a bit different than e.g candlewax or other waxes.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I probably should have mentioned that I HATE the smell of olives.

Mystery solved. Can't wait to see these scales, Bruno!