cross cut scales

L

ldoyle

Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
59
Have been looking at some scales for some handles and have been seeing a lot listed as cross cut , which I think is across the grain or end cut . Seems to me like they would break easy ,even if they were stabilized . Anyone have any thoughts on this as far as are they durable ?
Thanks , Larry
 
I have used a lot of end cut stabilized mesquite,haven't had any problems yet.Once it's attached to the blade it is plenty strong.

Stan
 
Depending the species of wood, they can be just fine. The only issue I have had and seen is with some small amount of warping even when stabilized. I've used all the common rosewoods and some fruit tree woods and they have been fine.
 
I had a set of end cut maple. It was advertised as stabilized, but I recently had a knife I made from it a few years ago sent back to me because it had warped quite a bit and was pulling away from the tang. I dont know about other woods, it was the only kind I have ever tried.
 
I have always wondered about this too. Was amazed when I first saw end grain scales
 
Stabilization takes care of a lot of the worries about warping. And some wood types look really cool when showing their end-grain (think palm or cocobolo).

I've used cross-cut slabs of several different species and have had no problems, but they were all stabilized by a well-known shop. I've also had several locally-harvested cross-cut samples that split and cracked as they cured in my shop, even while under clamping pressure. YMMV - but don't shy away from it if it has been stabilized...

TedP
 
Black palm, sucupira, B&W ebony, Maple, and several other woods have a completely different look when end cut. It has to be stabilized, and a backer of thin micarta or G-10 is a good idea.
 
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