Banksia pod casting

[scott kozub]

Anyone here ever cast a banksia pod? I just stabilized one and am looking to cast it. Wow did it ever soak up a lot of cactus juice.

Still deciding if I want to cut it into slabs or a blank for a WA handle. Curious if anyone has any tips. The pod itself is quite large so if I cut a block out the center I'll still have a couple pieces I could turn likely turn into scales.

 

[DAMNENG]

I have never stabilized Bangsia burl but I have cut them. They have a tendency to collect sand and rocks, so expect some sparks and loss of sharpness.
Good luck!
Jim A.

 

[JTknives]

I keep all my handle material on hand in blocks in the 1x1.5x5” range. This way I have options on what I can use it for. I dont like splitting things into scales just to store them. I know when I want to use that material I will want it in the opposite configuration then I cut it and it’s a lot easier to cut a block I half then it is to make a block out of scales.

 

[Jesse Latham]

I do it kind of like JT. I send 2x2x10 blocks to K&G and leave them that size until needed. Then I cut the size scale I require leaving as much as possible on the original piece.