Anyone Use Spalted Pine?

P

PeterB

Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
158
I just cut down a Ponderosa Pine on my ranch which has been dead for two years. It is about 20"+ diameter and has magnificent spalting. I'm thinking about cutting it in appropriate sizes then drying and treating a sample before using it as grips. Anyone ever use it or have experience with it?
 
Pine is pretty soft isn't it? Might be a good candidate for stabilizing. Maybe BurlSource will chime in here.. he knows his woods.
 
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I've turned bowls from spalted pine. If the rot has not progressed too far, the wood can still be quite sound. Pine black stains very fast and easily so you can get good color well before you get soft rot. That said, pine in general is a soft and splintery wood that weathers quickly, I think it would be better for knife handle use if it was stabilized. One thing to consider...If you are using a piece like a crotch or with a knot there might be an issue with the pine resin being incompatible with the epoxy
 
Haven't worked with it but it's listed as a hard pine. In any case ,as Geek says , spalted must be stabilized.
 
When I said treated, I certainly meant stabilized. The wood is quite firm now. The spalted color is a nice blue. I think it might turn out quite pleasant.
 
The local mill here calls it Buggy Blue.
They used to sell it to us dirt cheap. But then it started getting popular for floors, paneling and furniture.
The blue streaks can be really dramatic.
I have never used it for handle material but have seen some real nice furniture.

PeterB,
You need to come down and visit us some time.
You're not that far away.
 
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