Citrus scales and handles

[John Cahoon]

Just curious because I have a partial root ball + 10" diameter base of a lemon tree that died over 10 years ago at my old house, (tenants never water anything ). It's bone dry (Phoenix AZ), and it seems very hard, reasonably heavy and highly figured, but doesn't have the weight of an ironwood of course. What's the consensus on using this for scales and handles?

 

[A.McPherson]

I say go for it. Get it stabilized and cut it up.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If it looks good stabilize it and make some knives from it.

 

[Ken H>]

By all means, cut it up and please do post some photos. Doesn't really matter what wood it is (when stabilized), only what it looks like to make a good knife handle.

 

[navman]

does it smell like lemons?

 

[John Cahoon]

thanks for the answers guys, I did a quick 200 grit facet and it had a scent, citrus is pretty oily but this is so old probably not much left. It's pretty gnarly so I don't expect to get more than a handful of blocks/scales.