Box Elder Burl Mnandi - Wood Change?

[KBA]

I've been looking at the stated knife and was curious if anyone has carried it enough to see the wood change. Does anyone have any before at after pics? I know that all wood changes but I haven't been able to find an aged elder burl pic.

Thanks

 

[sk8n]

I carried a box elder for about 2 years and honestly don't recall much of a change. In fact the only inlay I noticed a significant color change with was lignum vitae.

 

[KBA]

I bet that Lignum Vitae looked great. What color did it change?

I read the link below a few years ago and have used it a few times before purchasing certain knives. I believe sun light it the main reason for the change, but I could be wrong. Im not sure when CR came out with the Elder Mnundi and was curious if anyone has noticed it loosing the burl, or depth, and change to a medium brown.

Some woods change quickly like the Osage Orange wood and according to the link Elder should change quickly as well.

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/

 

[Flint Hills]

Hey Brett,

I'm pretty sure all Box Elder Burl is stabilized since it's naturally a soft wood. Being stabilized, I don't imagine it would change much at all with use.

Those woods that change color over time with use aren't stabilized so they're able to absorb oils from your hand, etc. Stabilized woods have been impregnated with resin, so I don't think they're capable of absorbing much else.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I'm pretty sure all Box Elder Burl is stabilized since it's naturally a soft wood. Being stabilized, I don't imagine it would change much at all with use.

Those woods that change color over time with use aren't stabilized so they're able to absorb oils from your hand, etc. Stabilized woods have been impregnated with resin, so I don't think they're capable of absorbing much else.

Not only is BE a soft wood, but the burl is naturally very porous and tends to have gaps. Here's a close-up where you can see there's a lot of resin holding the burl together.

 

[KBA]

Hey Brett,

I'm pretty sure all Box Elder Burl is stabilized since it's naturally a soft wood. Being stabilized, I don't imagine it would change much at all with use.

Those woods that change color over time with use aren't stabilized so they're able to absorb oils from your hand, etc. Stabilized woods have been impregnated with resin, so I don't think they're capable of absorbing much else.

I found a few articles on how stablised wood would absorb but I believe you are right on holding it's luster. I appreciate the info my friend. I learn something new on here daily.

Here is an interesting link on the topic for future readers.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/719846-Should-all-knife-handle-wood-be-stabilized

 

[sk8n]

I bet that Lignum Vitae looked great. What color did it change?

I read the link below a few years ago and have used it a few times before purchasing certain knives. I believe sun light it the main reason for the change, but I could be wrong. Im not sure when CR came out with the Elder Mnundi and was curious if anyone has noticed it loosing the burl, or depth, and change to a medium brown.

Some woods change quickly like the Osage Orange wood and according to the link Elder should change quickly as well.

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/

My lignum vitae took on a greenish hue. Sunlight was indeed the main catalyst for the color change.

 

[Ghostwalker54]

Two different shades of stabilized BEB 1911 grips (usually due to a dye in this case). They'll grab some oil and dirt from your hands but as, Lone Wolfe stated, the resin usually doesn't. And KBA is correct on the sunlight. The resin, if left for a long period of time in direct sunlight, will turn cloudy and yellow.