Choosing a Handle Block

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unky_gumbi

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Aug 28, 2009
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How do you go about choosing a piece of wood for your knives? Aside from the obvious things like size and reputable dealer. I know for me its all about how the pattern grabs my attention, and finding something that is fairly consistent from one side to the other so the knife looks like the same knife when viewed from the other side, and that the grain suites the flow of the knife. I am just interested in what others look for, are they stuck on one type of wood, is it all emotional like I do, or does it really matter to others and any reasonable piece of wood makes the grade.

Even with the most careful choice, I have found that a piece of wood is full of surprises inside, how it looks on the outside can be completely different once you start shaping it, and that isn't a bad thing.

OK off to look at more wood.
 
For me grain pattern has to be interesting and suit the blade. I like light woods with dark metal and dark woods with bright metal. Snakewood and copper is a favorite of mine, and maple with blued steel as well. It is very subjective for me to choose a piece of wood. I try to picture the knife with a certain wood and start there, not always ending up with the wood I imagined.


-Xander
 
I buy alot of wood that I like and one day something in my brain says "where is that piece you got a while back??" I start the search and when found put it near my blade templete, it seems to work. two things are nice, contrast and a bit of curve to the grain unless its burl and just go for figure.
 
When I'm ready to decide, I'll take my blade and my original sketch to my wood cabinet and check every block of wood against the design. I toss back pieces that physically will not fit the design... then it usually comes down to one or two blocks that work best in my mind's eye. I try to visualize what the finished knife will look like and pick the piece that builds the best knife in my imagination. Like any art, it's all very subjective. Choosing a block (or scales) is one of my favorite parts of the process... like building the organics of the knife. Very cool. :)
Erin
 
Sometimes I design the knife around a piece of handle material I like.
Wood (or antler, etc) are natural products and there size is restricted to what you have.
You can always buy a larger piece of steel.
 
I buy my supplies independent of specific project needs. When a need arises I usually have several pieces that would do. I'm not saying this is the way a sane person on a budget should operate. Nor am I saying I'm a sane person on a budget. Please don't tell my wife. ;)
 
buy lots of wood then just sort like its been said above is how i do it
building stock knives is always harder for me as i have more options to look at (an order gets whats ordered as thats how they want it )
 
I buy wood in bulk. I have usually had it more than a year before I use it. In fact, it is often cut into scale size pieces for more than a year before I use it. I like the fact that it has aged in a temperature and humidity controlled environment for more than a year before it goes on a knife. For some woods, like ebony, this is the only way.

I buy cocobolo and African blackwood in bulk at "Exotic Wood Group". I always buy larger pieces and cut it up the way I want it.
 
unky_gumbi said:
Even with the most careful choice, I have found that a piece of wood is full of surprises inside, how it looks on the outside can be completely different once you start shaping it, and that isn't a bad thing.
Click to expand...

"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." (Forrest Gump)

I have bought a lot of wood (especially "Burl") that looks great on the outside, however, when you start shaping the handle, there always seems to be surprises. Some of these surprises are pleasing, and some are total disasters. Some may be repaired with a little super glue, and some can not.

Old Forrest had it right........ You never know what you are gonna get until you get there.

Robert

.
 
- Finding the colors to coordinate/compliment the overall look of the knife is my first step.

- Then I go to the blocks that fit the size I need.

- Then I look at grain/figure.

- If it doesn't pack a lot of punch in every square inch, I usually won't buy/use it.

I love ivory and stag.... but the ability to sculpt heavy contours into a piece of wood and not worry about grinding color or texture off make it my favorite handle material to use. Micarta, G10, and Carbon fiber have that too.... but I still prefer the natural wonder of a killer piece of wood.

And that's what she said.... :eek: ;) :D
 
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