What follows is a compilation of some of the lists that is found illustrating the likely problems that may be encountered with different types of woods that are used in the knife making process.

 In the reaction column will be listed “irritant, sensitizer, or cancer.” Irritants are just that, they will irritate the skin, eyes or nose as long as they are present, but the effects will diminish as soon as the source is removed.

A sensitizer is more serious. It can be compared to poison ivy in that a reaction appears in one who is sensitive. Repeated exposures for someone who is not sensitive can result in sensitivity at any time. Once the sensitivity is there, it is there to stay and a substance that was not toxic to an individual is now toxic and should always be considered as such.

Cancer, of course, does not occur right away, but can be the result of repeated exposure over time. Those woods that are linked to cancer may not produce any other noticeable reaction but should be very well respected and used with great care.

Of course it’s impossible to list everything that may pose a hazard, and it’s also impractical to avoid exposure to all of the materials on the list.

So as with any endeavor, the important thing is to know your adversary. Always take practical precautions.

 Wear breathing protection, and use a dust removal system of some kind even if it only consists of moving your grinder outdoors and turning on a strong fan to blow the dust away.

Resource: Billets & Blades, october 2009, by John B. Hege