Buckeye density

[Teknotchr]

I have some buckeye burl that I have cut up into slabs. I haven't worked with this material before, but it seems awfully light. Reminds me of cottonwood. Is it always this lightweight? Or do I have some inferior pieces.

 

[J A Whalen]

I bought a big chunck of CA buckeye burl and thought the same thing you did when I cut into it. The first knife I put it on I don't use much, but the handle has not changed since the day I put it on. The second knife I have carried every day for about 8 months. It is a small knife that hangs upside down on my belt. I'm a contractor so it get abused alot just hanging there. That handle is starting to show some small indents on it. I'm not sure if any wood would hold up good under those conditions though.
By the way, I didn't send either of the scales out to be stabelized. I just used thin super glue on them.
Joe

 

[Teknotchr]

The burl is thoroughly dry, and it is now soaking in Minwax Wood Hardener. I hope to stabilize the material with this, as well as increase it's durability. I guess it is much different material than I had anticipated.

 

[Peter Atwood]

I've been thinking the same thing about the Amboyna Burl that I have. I was surprised at the lightness of it. On the other end of the spectrum is the Tasmanian Eucalyptus Burl that I cut up recently. Holy smokes is that stuff dense!