Bloodwood suitability?

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Hi All,

I broke my camera recently or I would post some pictures with this thread. Anyway, I recently made a cokebottle shaped handle for a 9" bowie from bloodwood. It's the first time I've used this material. I found it easy to work, very fine grained, and takes a brilliant shine, almost looks like stone, Jasper perhaps. The color, well, it's absolutely vibrant, dark red in some light, an orangy red in others. I understand it darkens over time to the color of a red wine. Looking forward to that.

But, here's my question. I found myself wondering if this particular wood is suitable for a bowie in medium to high medium price range ($300-600). I have plenty of other materials and will probably go with something else, but I'd still like your opinions.

Dave
 
It does seem soft to me. I have a couple with bloodwood ferrules gluing now. With the tang and epoxy, I don't think the bloodwood can do much, but I'm too new know anything. It is pretty.

Any sort of ballparks on how quickly and to what degree the color seasons? I didn't know it aged so gracefully.
 
Hey Griz,

I don't think it's all that soft, although I liked the way it carves. I googled it, and came across a site by a professional woodworker. He remarked on how the wood oxidizes over time, but I don't recall if he said how long it took. I guess as long as you don't seal it, it will darken. He showed before and after pictures of a bowl he had carved, the before picture showed the bright new color, and the after picture showed the bowl's color as a deep burgundy. I did a search on bladeforums, but couldn't find any pictures of any knives with bloodwood handles, which is what led me to ask my question. If anyone else cares to chime in, input is welcome.

Dave
 
BRKT has used Amazon Bloodwood extensively. Google "Bark River Knife and Tool" + "bloodwood" for plenty of pics. If you don't get a lot of info here you could ask Mike Stewart at Knifeforums.

BTW I know one of his former employees from the Effingham days.
 
Dave, found a pic for you. ;)

I can't help with long term oxidation thing. All the ones I've done pretty much stayed the same. Gorgeous color and a pleasure to carve as you say. I did develop an allergy to it over time so me careful. (mostly a skin reaction when dust combines with sweat) But I still think of it as a low grade material, price wise and would not use it on a knife that I would price in the middle to upper range.

Oh, almost forgot the pic. ;)

persian01.jpg
 
Thanks for the input Type O and Patrice,

TypeO, thanks for the tip on Bark River Knives, I'll visit their site.

Ahh, yes, I remember that knife well, Patrice, didn't remember that you had a bloodwood handle on it though. As I recall, you were unhappy with some of the executution, hope you remedied those issues because it is a great looking knife. As you can tell, I really like Bloodwood, but agree it's probably unsuited to a mid to high range knife. I think it would look good on hunters. When are we going to see your first folder>

Dave
 
Thanks David. Ordering Ti and parts next week. But I would not expect too much, I can already see things going wrong...a lot. ;)

On a side note, do you have a website to showcase your work?
 
Well, good luck, Patrice. This is your first one, after all. As for a website, I've thought about it, but the simple fact is I'm not that motivated of a seller. I like making knives, and I try to up my game with each project, but I don't usually put too many knives up for sale. Just not that important to me. Silly, huh? I do have a fairly extensive photo album on this site though.

Dave
 
Not silly at all, I feel the same way. Actually I haven't even sold one yet. My website is just a display and sharing a few tips, not a selling platform. A photo album does the same, I just didn't find it on here.
 
Patice,

to get to my photo album (or any other maker) just click on my/their name. It takes you to the makers site, view the left side of the screen to see "my knives." But, you probably already knew that.

dave
 
Thanks Dave, I did not know that. You make some good looking knives, I luv those big bowies of yours. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top