Birdseye Maple. How to cut to get the most ?

K

kraut

Joined
Apr 14, 2000
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118
Ok here's my dumb ass question of the week.

I just traded a jar of Georgia Moon to a fellow Copper for a jar of home made,(VERY HOT), sauce that I in turn traded for some birdseye maple. Damn proud of myself, $15.00 worth of booze for one heck of a lot of handle slabs.
My question is what is the best way to have it cut?
It is in two pieces 1)= 4'x5"x1"
2)= 4'x4"x1"
I'm thinking of having it ripped into 1/4" thick 4ft lengths any input would be appreciated.

Jim Ziegler
 
First i would check and make sure it is dry,if you cut it to 1/4"it would be fine for folders,but a little thin for scales,probably cut some for full tang.Cut into handle size lenghts and dip the ends in hot wax to stop any cracking.It would also make some nice wooden sheaths....good deal..
 
it would be best to cut it 3/4 by one and a half by four and one half then when you cut slabs for a knife you will have a matched set
 
Personally I wouldn't cut it until I'm ready to use it. I'd then cut off just what I need and slice it lengthwise to suit whatever knife I'm making. You just never know when a larger or smaller piece than you might have originally anticipated is required. No need to commit now.
 
I agree with Jerry, I have several exotic and domestic woods in board form that I will not cut until I have the knife ready for handle material. You just never know what will come to mind and if you've got it all cut in certain lengths and widths then You have to make the knife to fit the handle material not the other way around.

you got great deal;)

Bill ????
 
For 1/2 that jar of Georgia Moon I'll tell ya how to have it cut.
Serious i just keep it in board form and cut off what I want at the time.
TJ
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I makes sense to leave it in the bigger pieces for now. The tendancy is when you get some wood as beautiful as this is to want to dive right in. Also I havn't had the chance to talk to the guy it's from yet, he dropped it off in my garage so I will have to check with him as to how long it has been cut/dryed.
As an aside, my wife is really pleased to see this wood arrive.
She has an antique lawyers bookshelf (about 100+ yrs old), made of the most incredible birds eye maple that she has been very worried was going to disappear. Ever since she came home one evening and caught me fondling one of the shelves she has been keeping a very close eye on it.

Thanks Guys Jim Ziegler
 
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