cypress knees for handle material?

T. J. · Jul 27, 1999

I'm looking for a local, durable and attractive material for slabs and through tang handles, and was wondering if anybody has any experience with cypress knees? I have heard that they are hard, dense, and might have interesting grain. I can find them locally that have been killed by changes in water level and dried for a long time, and understand that they are pure hell on chainsaw blades, which may make them suitable. I also have access to naturally dried mesquite burls if anybody thinks that they might work out well ( i know it makes Gods own fence posts) Tips on finishing and preserving would be appreciated.
T. J.

goshawk · Jul 28, 1999

I've made lamps out of cyp. kn. but never used for handle material. Mesq. burl can
be absolutly awesome. My recomendation would
be to cut either up and have the slabs or
blocks stabilized at WSSI in Cedar Falls IA
there's a link on my web page.
goshawk

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http://www.imt.net/~goshawk The race is not always to the swift, but he who hangs loose.
Don't walk in tradition just because it feels good!!!!!

DK · Jul 28, 1999

T.J.,used lot's of cypress for shelter's,it last forever!Never used it for handles,should be good.What about this mesquite wood? How does it look? Interested in some dried Pecan Wood?
DK

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Pretty nice,huh?

misque · Jul 30, 1999

If you decide to try out the cypress wood for knife handles PLEASE, PLEASE post the results good or bad. Here in Fla. we got cypress out the wazoo! I had never even considered it as a possible knife handle material.

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 02 August 1999).]