Aromatic woods

[Just Tom.]

Olive smells fantastic when you are working it, but I just sniffed this one and can’t detect any odor just 2 years later:

 

[JTB_5]

the recent 86 seersucker wood smells interesting, however i dont think that is natural. i am curious about how use/wear & tear would change that smell

That’s a smell from how the wood was used, not from the wood itself, but it is still cool for that. I suppose you could infuse a hard wood and then use it. Not sure how long the scent would remain.

 

[sceva]

Genuine Lignum vitae is the best smelling wood, and one of the most durable, super dense and very hard. It smells like sweet cinnamon spice and nutmeg.

It looks great too, very interesting grain. I don't have a knife with this wood but I do have some revolver grips.

 

[mrknife]

That’s a smell from how the wood was used, not from the wood itself, but it is still cool for that. I suppose you could infuse a hard wood and then use it. Not sure how long the scent would remain.

i did say it was not natural to the wood

 

[JTB_5]

i did say it was not natural to the wood

Right, me too. But thinking of the sucker rod, which took up the smell of the oil it was used to extract, I suppose you could accomplish the same thing with an intention to use the wood as a carrier of aromatic scents.

 

[tongueriver]

delete

 

[JTB_5]

This is a Randall 23 in Thuya. I can't really smell it when it is in the Big Open, but when sealed in a case for awhile, it.... stinks.View attachment 1367220

Sometimes no smell is preferable to smell.

 

[hornetguy]

I think I'll pull some of my wood scales and soak them in Gentleman Jack.... I'll keep you posted....

 

[Will Power]

Back to Juniper. I don't know which variety is used for making knife-handles, but the Junipers that grow here grow slowly and can survive in bleak dry and cold habitats. I suspect the Juniper the French use is similar as it's fairly arid, windy and bleak in the Midi in winter. The wood is very rot resistant, is more or less insect proof and is extremely durable and it retains a great fragrance. I knew somebody who imported and used Juniper for lining his sauna, we usually use birch or some pines. The smell was astounding and it resists damp very well, cost a fortune though

Can't think of other woods that could be used as a durable fragrant handle, the resinous pines/cedars etc are all soft unlike Juniper. Where would Gin be without the Juniper's berries? They're also used in sauces for game meats .

 

[JTB_5]

Back to Juniper. I don't know which variety is used for making knife-handles, but the Junipers that grow here grow slowly and can survive in bleak dry and cold habitats. I suspect the Juniper the French use is similar as it's fairly arid, windy and bleak in the Midi in winter. The wood is very rot resistant, is more or less insect proof and is extremely durable and it retains a great fragrance. I knew somebody who imported and used Juniper for lining his sauna, we usually use birch or some pines. The smell was astounding and it resists damp very well, cost a fortune though

Can't think of other woods that could be used as a durable fragrant handle, the resinous pines/cedars etc are all soft unlike Juniper. Where would Gin be without the Juniper's berries? They're also used in sauces for game meats .

I love juniper, but it has gone up in price over the last few years. I hope it isn't becoming scarce.

 

[Mitt]

I don't know about pocketknives, but chandan (sandalwood) is sometimes used for khukuri handles.

Sandalwood can have some interesting grain

Mesquite is the best smelling wood. But you have to burn it.

Live oak smells better and doesn't burn as hot.

 

[Jolipapa]

Sandalwood can have some interesting grain

...

It is also a good moths repellant.