Blackwood VS Ebony

CUTS LIKE A KRIS

CUTS LIKE A KRIS

Joined
Sep 28, 2005
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Could anybody tell me an (hopefully) easy way to tell the difference between the two? I was at Lee Valley on the weekend and picked up 3 blocks 4"X1" for $1.25 each. As it looked identical to the blackwood I have purchased (dark, heavy with a few light brown streaks) in the past from them I was excited as it was the first square sections that I have seen. But at the till the nice lady changed the order to ebony. I know that Ebony is more prone to crack and if I ever sell a knife I want to ID the materials properly. Sorry about there being no pic- girlfriend hid the camera out of wheelchair access!! I'll try to get some up later if needed.

Thanks all.
 
If you can grind it a little the blackwood will have a sweet smell since its part of the rosewood family.
 
I don't know much about the difference, but can you get me some blackwood at that price? :)

-d
 
I believe ebony is vey fine grained. Well I know that only because I have used wood sold to me as ebony. I don't know what the difference is but like the other bloke said if it looks as good as ebony you got a bargan at that price. The only other thing I known is there are various types of species which are refered to as ebony. macassar (or similar name) tends to have a lot more brown in it than the jet black. Gamboon from afrca blacker.That coment is based only on limited experience an could be a load of Cr%$. I have tried to by some off ebay a while back and it was all very expensive. The blacker the more expensive.

Good luck with what ever you bought.
 
E-mail: welcoth@earthlink.net for questions.

This address comes from a site on ebay selling both. I don't like to advertise the company for no special reason but I thought it may be against the rules
so just the address to answer your question.
 
I have found blackwood to be my preferrence over ebony in just about all aspects. I concurr with the sniff test, ebony will have an woody/nutty smell amlsot like griding coconut, blackwood will have a fragrant vanilla smell that I find very reminiscent of root beer.
 
Thanks- did a quick file & sniff and I would say it was more nutty than sweet but as it is really dry in here now I can't trust my nose fully- at least I can start to believe the lady now.

Just to show what it is that I bought:
Ebony.jpg
 
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