Cherry for handles?

R

Rookie7

Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
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I got a chunck of well-dried cherry awhile back, had it stabilized. I tried it for a through tang knife, but managed to create some subtle cracks in the process. Is this typical of cherry? Any suggestions on working with it? How would it be for scales?

Phil Millam aka Rookie7
LaConner WA
 
Hi Phil
Ive never seen a piece of cherry that said "knife handle". There is just not enough figure. If yours is already cracked it should be replaced. probally not what you wanted to hear.
You going to the Eugene show?
 
Cherry is a great furniture wood and has a nice long straight grains patterns. Because of the long grain that is not interlocked, it will tend to split lengthwise easily and not have a good Brash quality. Brashness in wood is what makes Ash and Oak good baseball bats and why popler is used as a drawer bottom. Cherry does have some nice color and can be found with some real nice mineral patterns in a burl which is typically found in old growth orchards. Good furniture grade Cherry is going overseas and it will be straight grain and have a nice red orange hue with exposure to sunlight and skin oils. It would make for a nice through tang handle like a Mora but you can not stress itwith a tight pressure fit.
Burl that has been stabilized would make for some nice scales for a simple slippie.

Brian
 
I've only made one knife with a cherry handle. I had the same trouble with it splitting. It was a full tang and I cracked 4 out of 6 handle slabs getting it fitted up. Two actually cracked as I was drilling the pin holes. One cracked as I was setting the pins. One cracked in the vise on my drill press before I even began to drill the holes. It was a lot of work. The cherry came from a friends orchard, from a tree that had been struck by lightning. I was making the knife for him, so the cherry had sentimental value to him. Plus, I had plenty of cherry to replace what was cracking. It turned out nice....eventually.

I've wondered how the patina of that knife has changed over the years. I've lost contact with him in the past three years. I think I'll try contacting him again.
 
I've used cherry twice for handles. Once on a skinner for my younger brother, and once on a carving knife for our kitchen. The tree the pieces came from was on my Dad's place in south MS and blew down in a storm. One of my dad's friends had it cut up into boards and kiln dried. He gave me some rough cut 2x stuff from knots/crotches etc. with some nice figure. I've still got a lot of it. It cracked a lot in the kiln and I had to be pretty imaginative with a bandsaw to get the blocks for the hidden tangs of the two knives I've used it on. It's held up well, though, and has gotten a good bit darker in the 3 or 4 years since I first used it.

Todd
 
Thanks for the advice. I think I just made my last knife with cherry. Anyone who wants a chunk of stabilized cherry ya'll call. Bruce, gotta pass on the Eugene knife show this year, as we are in the midst of moving. Pity.

Phil Millam
 
I handled a letter opener with cherry slabs. Not a high stress application but looks good so far. If you really do want to get rid of it let me know.
 
I have some Choke Cherry Burls that are really sweet. I'll take a pic and post if you guys want????
 
indian george said:
I have some Choke Cherry Burls that are really sweet. I'll take a pic and post if you guys want????
Click to expand...

You really have to ask if we want to see pictures?:D The more pictures the better!!!!
 
No Offense intended to PERESSER,
BUT the finest grade Cherry is going to Homer, INDIANA, not overseas.......
And the furniture they are makeing in Homer would drive a Sane Person Crazy!
Totally Beautifull!!!!!!!
 
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