Thread: Wood - steel compatability?

I know that the tannin in oak has a tendency to stain or even damage steel but are there problems with other woods? I've got a few different bits of wood someone's cut up for me and I'm presuming the olivewood and ebony are ok as TI offer them for their scales but I've also got some yew and chechen (Metopium Browneii).
Does anyone have experience of these or heard of any problems with them?
Thanks in advance

Malcolm, wood and steel have been used together since the year dot. I'm not aware of any incompatibility but I'm no expert either.

Hopefully someone will pipe up and let you know.

Gary

Malcolm,
Even if there were issues, the wood would have to remain wet in order to leach out any of the tannins or other phenolics. If you allow your razors to stay wet, tannins will be the least of your problems. That said, few woods are left unfinished when designed to be handled regularly. Seal that oak (or ash, or yew, or any other species) with a coat of shellac, apply a film finish over the top (or just coat the shellac with a bit of wax) and the wood will never come in contact with your steel.

Ed

Thanks for the reassurance - I suppose I should have known to ask you the question, Ed. It was someone whose main interest is boats that asked me if there were problems with woods other than oak so I suppose there is a reasonable basis for his concern.

Thanks again.