Crosscut stabilized block

T

The_Dave

Joined
Dec 5, 2008
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I'm currently waiting on a block of crosscut stabilized spalted alder. I haven't worked with stabilized wood before, and certainly not any crosscut wood. I intend to cut the block into scales. Are there any potential problems associated with a crosscut piece specifically? And what should I be aware of when I cut the block that wouldn't normally be an issue with a non-stabilized block?
 
Crosscut scales can break easily. Drill with care and pin gently. Backing the scales with a fiber liner is a good idea. Epoxy it to the scales, and then assemble the handle. Breakage may be significantly reduced this way.
 
Stacy is right, once again. Cross-cut scales are inherently weaker.
(Trust me, I know :grumpy:)
I will never use cross-cut scales again.
 
Threw all my crosscut slabs in the fireplace.....they were stabilized very well, but would still split if I looked at them hard.
 
Well, finished this one up.

I was extremely careful cutting the block into scales, especially since I don't have a bandsaw. Used a table saw, which was... a challenge. Anyway, I didn't have any spacer as bladsmith suggested, so I just worked very slowly while drilling and pinning. I think the fact that it's stabilized helped a lot, because it went smoothly from beginning to end.

Thanks for your answers!

This one is a gift knife. Blade is ground from an old file, heat treated and tempered by me at the house. Crosscut Spalted Alder handle from Woodstabilizer.com, #972.

Not bad for my second attempt; still got some kinks to work out, but I'm learning more with each blade I finish.

IMAG0051.jpg
 
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