Will wood scratch 904L steel?

[LeBrassusMonkey]

Hey guys,

Might be a bit of a neurotic question here (and please do let me know if it is). My girlfriend purchased me a beautiful watch box for my birthday, made out of walnut wood. The look is absolutely perfect. I've attached some photos below.

However, as you can see in the photos, there is no easy way to get the bracelet into the cushion without the bracelet bumping all up against the wood sides of the cushion.

Given that this is walnut wood, I'm guessing that this should be fine and will not scratch the bracelet, correct?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, guys! Much appreciated.

[77T]

No problem with scratching
Constant rubbing of brushed satin finished SS against wood might burnish it smooth but no scratching

[WJGESQ]

Wooden desks seem to be able to scratch the bands.

[Snowflaker]

I see a new box in your future

[AgentHsu]

You have more to lose by telling her you're not going to use it, imo. Just use it since your watches will get hairlines anyway

[mucrewbtp]

Do you wear your watches or just look at them? Life in general will cause way more wear and tear than a bracelet lightly touching some wood. walnut is way softer than stainless steel it will not cause scratches. Bracelet marks from a desk are caused by accumulated dirt or grit that is on the desk, not the wood itself. Very nice watch box btw.

[LeBrassusMonkey]

Originally Posted by mucrewbtp

Do you wear your watches or just look at them? Life in general will cause way more wear and tear than a bracelet lightly touching some wood. walnut is way softer than stainless steel it will not cause scratches. Bracelet marks from a desk are caused by accumulated dirt or grit that is on the desk, not the wood itself. Very nice watch box btw.

Thank you! It is from Hamilton Leather Works, which I believe is a shop (might be a one-man operation) - he is based in Nicaragua.

And this is exactly my concern. I've definitely picked up scratches from a wooden desk before, but as you say, it might be from the dirt / grit on the desk rather than the desk itself. My intuition suggests that a soft walnut wood won't scratch stainless steel, but then again, this isn't my area of expertise.

And I completely agree with those who have said that any watch will incur scratches throughout the course of wear - however, in my view, no need to subject it to any unnecessary scratching if it can be avoided.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by mucrewbtp

Do you wear your watches or just look at them?

I agree with the above.

If all you do is display your watches you only have to mount them once.

If you wear them, wearing will provide a lifetime of scratches and scrapes.

[Rolexdaydateii]

Yes

[Bakasana]

Originally Posted by LeBrassusMonkey

I've definitely picked up scratches from a wooden desk before,

You just answered your own question then, really? You came on here to ask whether or not wood scratches a watch, almost to get some sort of support, "Yes it does," so you can convince yourself to try to get a new watch box and to break it to your girl you dont want to use the box. (no puns there)

But if you "definitely picked up scratches from a wooden desk before" then why ask and just get another box.

BTW -- I'm neurotic about scratches too... it happens. Especially when you wear, as you should -- in good health, bro.

[.458Chris]

Originally Posted by Bakasana

You just answered your own question then, really? You came on here to ask whether or not wood scratches a watch, almost to get some sort of support, "Yes it does," so you can convince yourself to try to get a new watch box and to break it to your girl you dont want to use the box. (no puns there)

But if you "definitely picked up scratches from a wooden desk before" then why ask and just get another box.

BTW -- I'm neurotic about scratches too... it happens. Especially when you wear, as you should -- in good health, bro.

I normally find puns juvenile, however, well done.

[anothernewphone]

Like above, you've got more to lose by not using the box. A couple tiny scuffs are nothing that you wouldn't pick up along the way, anyway. Don't sweat it, and enjoy that awesome gift!

[Sublovin]

Add this to the list of questions which are baffling and make you wonder if people really enjoy their watches.
Not being disrespectful, but if you are concerned about possible scratches from a wooden jewelery box, you are waaaay overthinking it.
If you don't plan to wear the watches, have them encased in lucite and properly displayed.
Just wear your watches man....nice gift from the lady, enjoy it

[kilyung]

You're being neurotic. It'll be fine. Nice case.

[DaveDhc]

Originally Posted by mucrewbtp

Do you wear your watches or just look at them? Life in general will cause way more wear and tear than a bracelet lightly touching some wood. walnut is way softer than stainless steel it will not cause scratches. Bracelet marks from a desk are caused by accumulated dirt or grit that is on the desk, not the wood itself. Very nice watch box btw.

I strapped my Sea Dweller to a large branch in order to take pictures. The wood was soft and had no dirt on it. I pulled my watch off and to my amazement, it scratched and scuffed the back of my watch ... significantly.

I would not have guessed that soft wood could damage a watch's stainless steel, but my experience is that it can.

[Boaters]

I try to keep my watches away from everything except my wrist

[sco]

It almost looks like the wood side comes off. I am sure you tried, if it doesn't and the thought of putting your watches in and out of that box for a lifetime makes you shudder.... I would speak up and let her know that you would like to pick out another box with her. That's what I would do...

[OmegaJJH]

My Sub's bracelet is covered in scratches from all my desk diving.

[Daytona88]

Originally Posted by AgentHsu

You have more to lose by telling her you're not going to use it, imo. Just use it since your watches will get hairlines anyway

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by DaveDhc

I strapped my Sea Dweller to a large branch in order to take pictures. The wood was soft and had no dirt on it. I pulled my watch off and to my amazement, it scratched and scuffed the back of my watch ... significantly.

I would not have guessed that soft wood could damage a watch's stainless steel, but my experience is that it can.

I have seen a lot of trees in my life, and never once saw a clean one. They all seem to accumulate dust and dirt from their environment. My guess is that dirt embedded in the tissue scratched the watch, not the wood itself.

[joli160]

Wood should not scratch steel, a bit OCD ?

[azguy]

does anyone just wear a watch anymore and whatever happens, happens

I ride my motorcycle, wakeboard, surf, sail and desk dive all the time. It builds character for both you and the watch.

[The Joker]

Use the case!

[abrasive]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I have seen a lot of trees in my life, and never once saw a clean one. They all seem to accumulate dust and dirt from their environment. My guess is that dirt embedded in the tissue scratched the watch, not the wood itself.

Yep, this.

Same with the desk. Dirt and grit embed in wood and turn it into an abrasive device.

Some wood finishes are fairly hard. Many woods, especially veneers, are stabilized with epoxies, resins, etc. that are much harder than wood.

All that said, I am not sure I understand the problem. You can't open the bracelet and fasten it around the cushion?

[V1Rotate]

Easy mod. Just hit the craft store and get some soft felt and felt up anything that touches wood.

[DaveDhc]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I have seen a lot of trees in my life, and never once saw a clean one. They all seem to accumulate dust and dirt from their environment. My guess is that dirt embedded in the tissue scratched the watch, not the wood itself.

So the point is that regardless of the molecular composition of the "wood", if your watch comes in contact with "wood" it can be scratched. It makes little difference whether or not it was molecules of cellulose or particles of granite. The original comment was that wooden desks seem to be able to "scratch the band". I believe that is a true statement. The statement that wood is too soft isn't consistent with my experience. If I rub my band on a wooden desk it will result in damage every time, regardless of whether or not the desk is clean.

I am not trying to be argumentative, just trying to clarify my own experiences.

[mjclark32]

Just ran my watch down the outdoor table top and there's a scratch...in the teak

[D111s]

In theory no, walnut is much softer than the steel. In reality yes wood can scratch steel, there may be grit or dirt on the surface of the timber which causes the scratches. Some woods are naturally abrasive (course grain ect) which is another factor.

Your box should be fine as long as it's been well finished and kept clean! So enjoy

(I am a furniture maker and work with these timbers every day)

[J!m]

I didn't read all the posts but here's some food for thought:

Grinding wheels work best when they break down during grinding. Too hard a wheel is not as effective at stock removal.

Then there's the species question. Probably not black walnut if from Central America. And it's not Peruvian either as I used a lot of that in my guitar making.

Then there's another thought: black Palm wood. It is black from the fine black sand that gets caught in the wood as it grows. That stuff will destroy a carbide blade faster than dropping it on the concrete.

Anyway, maybe you can remove one side from each watch holder. Then it doesn't have to go over the wood.

[PatagoniaDan]

IMO that is a very flawed design and would provide lots of aggravation for me, not because of any potential scratches, but because of the tediousness of looping the bracelet over the large diameter of the wooden sides. I understand why they did it though - because the assumption was it would be a buckle type of clasp that would simply go over it.

I'd see if you can remove the wooden sides or something like that...