Bamboo as handle material

[Buffalohump]

As a bit of a tree-hugger I have recently become aware of the benefits of using bamboo to make various kitchen household items and furniture. This wood is tremendously tough, durable, water resistant (it will float) and of course, highly sustainable as a resource.

I just wonder why we dont see more of it on knife handles? It would seem like the ideal material for a hard-using knife for those seeking an alternative to micarta and G-10.

It might not be as attractive to look at as desert ironwood or other exotic woods but its undoubtedly more durable (and less expensive).

The only maker I know who uses it is Bark River.... or are there others? Any custom makers ever try it?

 

[dbl-edge]

I just wonder why we dont see more of it on knife handles? It would seem like the ideal material for a hard-using knife for those seeking an alternative to micarta and G-10.

It might not be as attractive to look at as desert ironwood or other exotic woods but its undoubtedly more durable (and less expensive).

The only maker I know who uses it is Bark River.... or are there others? Any custom makers ever try it?

I won't because it's not "as attractive to look at as desert ironwood or other exotic woods"! As for durability, maybe. I doubt it's more durable than Micarta or G-10. Some woods certainly, but not necessarily all of them. People who pay a lot of money for a hand made knife want something that looks good, and that's generally a nicely figured piece of wood. Bamboo is, well. . . rather bland and unattractive.

I don't know how much less expensive bamboo is. Bamboo is the newest, hottest, most politically correct hard organic (it's grass, not wood) material to use. It makes people feel good to use it because they think they're saving the planet. So this material that grows at like a foot a day and should be cheap, is not.

I also wouldn't have bamboo floors instead of hardwood (or laminate) because it's not "as attractive to look at". YMMV

David

 

[Redsnake1997]

Bamboo is, well. . . rather bland and unattractive.

I also wouldn't have bamboo floors instead of hardwood (or laminate) because it's not "as attractive to look at". YMMV

David

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. I love the looks of bamboo w/all the varieties and the durability is pretty darn good for floors...

OK, back to the OP....

I really like Bamboo handles on knives but only have one. It's a nice Bamboo handled Bark River Golock and it looks great and has been quite durable so far. Could just be a phase and perhaps it is for 'tree huggers' ... but I don't know. I'm not a tree-hugger but I do love the way bamboo looks and the stuff is pretty durable in my experience as a knife handle.

 

[Buffalohump]

It might not be as detailed and complex as some woods but I certainly dont find it unattractive and I figure its gotta be cheaper than desert ironwood and curly maple. And certainly more widely available.

I'm just quite impressed with how tough it is. I recently got a nice sized cutting board made out of the stuff and it holds up extremely well. I also think that the fact that it floats would make it worth considering if you are working with a knife around water. I also have a kitchen spoon made out of it and while all my other spoons eventually crack or wear out, this one just keeps on trucking.

 

[dbl-edge]

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. I love the looks of bamboo w/all the varieties and the durability is pretty darn good for floors...

The bamboo flooring I've seen looks like my kitchen cutting boards, durable but blah looks. But as I said, YMMV.

 

[dbl-edge]

It might not be as detailed and complex as some woods but I certainly dont find it unattractive and I figure its gotta be cheaper than desert ironwood and curly maple. And certainly more widely available.

I'm just quite impressed with how tough it is. I recently got a nice sized cutting board made out of the stuff and it holds up extremely well. I also think that the fact that it floats would make it worth considering if you are working with a knife around water. I also have a kitchen spoon made out of it and while all my other spoons eventually crack or wear out, this one just keeps on trucking.

Decent ironwood costs anywhere between $30 and $55 per handle block, depending on the color and figure. It's very popular and has been for years. It's beautiful and considered one of the premier choices for a custom knife handle. It was declared endangered by the Mexican government so it's become more scarce which has about doubled it's price. Cocobolo, which was king before the popularity of ironwood, is around $10. It's durable. Curly maple is really quite common. My maple bedroom set (Tell City Furniture) has sections with curl. Knife handle sized scales and blocks are around $5 each. All of these are fairly durable. Not at the level of bamboo or Micarta, but still they hold up well enough if properly cared for.

Maybe one day manufacturers like Purdy and Rolls Royce will use bamboo for gun stocks and dash trim.

 

[black mamba]

David Farmer (dfarmerknives) uses bamboo on his customs. He has some for sale right now in the knifemakers forum, fixed blades.

 

[mbely2]

I think Kevin Wilkins uses bamboo as a handle material on some of his kitchen knives.
http://www.wilkins-knives.com/start_e.html

Mark

 

[Kohai999]

The bamboo flooring I've seen looks like my kitchen cutting boards, durable but blah looks. But as I said, YMMV.

I rather like my flooring, and don't find it looks anything like a cutting board, had it installed in October, if you know Larry Fuegen or Buddy T.(HTMD on the Forums), you might ask what they thought of it.:

http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboo-flooring-fossilized-java.html

That said, the only custom knives I would currently consider with bamboo would be Japanese styled kitchen or "outdoors" knives, as it is the proper and traditional material for these knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[severedthumbs]

I rather like my flooring, and don't find it looks anything like a cutting board, had it installed in October, if you know Larry Fuegen or Buddy T.(HTMD on the Forums), you might ask what they thought of it.:

http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboo-flooring-fossilized-java.html

That said, the only custom knives I would currently consider with bamboo would be Japanese styled kitchen or "outdoors" knives, as it is the proper and traditional material for these knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

nope not at all like a cutting board. db likes to make his opinion seem as if it is fact quite often.

 

[A C Richards]

Wayne Goddard has use bamboo for years. When I did my JS cut and bend at his place, 10 years ago, he had a patch he was growing for this very purpose. He even gave me a few pieces to try. I still need to use those pieces. Maybe this year.

 

[Kohai999]

nope not at all like a cutting board. db likes to make his opinion seem as if it is fact quite often.

Lot of us do that, Doug.....it's a casualty of knowing a lot of facts, and having to depend upon your judgement without doubt....working with irreplaceable materials will do that.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[wildmike]

Bushcraft Northwest sells a custom bushcraft knife that is made for them. It has a great Bamboo handle.

From all reports the bamboo handle has far exceeded expectaitions as to durability, and is attractive as well.

 

[Dusty One]

Here is a shot of some bamboo I used one.....

 

[Buffalohump]

Looks good to me! Did you treat it any way to bring out the grain?

Here is a shot of some bamboo I used one.....

 

[Dusty One]

Watco oil then after dry some watco wax....

 

[Doug C]

Tom Maringer uses bamboo, as a matter of fact laminated bamboo flooring
on some of his wire wrapped handles.
(Thanks, Dudley:thumbup: and Happy Birthday tomorrow. )

Doug

 

[Lorien]

I bet you could do all kinds of neat things with bamboo, like sandblast it and stuff, bring out the texture or add some.
It's pretty bomproof, I mean they make scaffolding and boats out of it in places where everything rots because it's so damn wet. Which is probably why it makes good cutting boards and flooring.
Doesn't it have some kind of anti bacterial property as well?

I really like the idea of bamboo. Seems very practical imo.

 

[Ochs]

I think bamboo makes a great handle material and there are some pretty nice bamboo handles out there, as A.C. mentioned Wayne Goddard has been using it for years. I have seen some of his that are quite nice. It may not show up on high end customs but is still makes a great durable handle. Here is one I made from a piece of bamboo that Wayne gave me. Blade is CPM154 with hammered copper fittings and flower pin on buttcap.

 

[Ochs]

It also has very nice texture and growth rings.