a few pictures of my meager collection

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divechief

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
27
I have been a merchant marine engineer for about 40 years. One of the questions that used to be on engineer license exam was “What is the Propeller shaft bearing made of”. On the WWII ships of that era Lignum Vitea was the answer. The natural lubrication and hardness of the wood (the first or second hardest wood) made it the best material of its day.

Wood hardness is measured on the “Jenka” scale, It measures how much pressure is required to push a ½” steel ball ¼” deep in the wood. Balsa wood is rated at about 100, Teak = 1000, Oak = 1300, Ebony = 3200 finally Lignum = 4500

I have liked Lignum since I met it. It often has a green hue and seems to turn more green with age. I have a small sebenza and a Damascus Mnandi, both with Lignum Vitea inlays. I often looked at the CR site and hovered my mouse over a large Lignum Spirographic Sebenza. I was sorry to see Chris stop selling the Spiro Damascus. Still, I was often very close to pulling the trigger on a large S35. When I finally was ready to pull the trigger I discovered the Lignum was no longer made.

Finally, I found a Large Advertised as like new in box being being sold by a member here. I was finally able to pull the trigger and the transaction went VERY smoothly. Someday in the future I may send it in for a Damascus blade depending on what pattern Chris carries.
Anyway I know the pictures aren’t the best but a couple of pictures are attached. Sorry for the photo quality. these were taken with my phone.

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Trying to show the raindrop on the Mnandi.
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Very cool set up you have. I was disappointed to hear they will no longer be offering Lignum.

Digging your collection. Thanks for sharing it!
 
Lignum is a cool bit of wood, it does indeed pick up a green and "dark gold" hue as it oxidises. I don't have any CRKs with it but I do have other knives and things.
 
A raindrop blade would look pretty sweet on the large lignum.
great collection of one of my favorite woods Divechief !
btw that knife was brand new in box :)
 
Nice collection. It trumps my rather meager showing of two CRKs. Eventually, I would like too try a wood inlay.
 
Nice I like how they compliment each other in size and style.

Thanks for the info on Lignum I never knew and just thought it was another wood.
 
I would love to see some closeup pics of the wood, I have never seen it as it ages.

Thanks for the thread :)
 
Thanks for the comments everyone. I felt really lucky to find the large. and as it is my first large it really feels good in my hand. (I usually carry a micarta small)

As I said, I only have a phone cam, but if you are interested in images of the wood, a google search will show tons of pictures.
Also, there is more information than anyone needs at the wood database

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/lignum-vitae/
 
Thanks for the info, I can't wait to see what your collection looks like one year from today. Thanks for sharing.
 
divechief said:
...but if you are interested in images of the wood, a google search will show tons of pictures.
Also, there is more information than anyone needs at the wood database

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/lignum-vitae/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, but I think I should have been clearer!

I would love to see some closeups of your inlays in particular, so a year or two down the road when you take the same shots we can see how it ages. This kind of patina development is awesome to watch.

I understand you don't have a great camera, I am stuck using the camera on my blackberry as well, but it works very good with the zoom on and the settings on close-up!
 
OK, here are a couple of camera phone closeups, the Mnandi and the small have a similar color, the Large is slightly darker.

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I think I like wood inlay on a mnandi better with it's 1 piece design. Also, I don't have a Raindrop damascus yet. I'm lovin' that one.

One thing that helps me get the best pics with the phone, is taking the pics outside with sunlight.

TY!
 
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