New Central African knife, cleaning/maintenance advice?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by wildwolberine

Just added this Central African (Ngombe?) knife to my collection. Large, flat blade with faint marks. Wood hilt mostly covered with metallic wrap. Would like to know the best way to clean the blade and hilt, and to preserve the wood, without destroying the patina? I want to be careful to avoid over cleaning. I could wipe the metal down with Ballistol but I’m unsure how to proceed with the wood.

Overall length 58 cm
Blade length 47 cm
Blade width 8.5 cm

Hello WW,

Your nice knife could be Luba also, but I am unsure. Treating the blade with Ballistol oil and rubbing it with 000 steel wool is a good idea, others would clean it until the metal is visible again but I wouldn't do it personally.
The wood I would clean and treat with linseed oil in the same way, Gunar has shown it is a good way to go.

Regards,
Detlef