Desert Ironwood Preparation

M

maxgerston15

Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
2
Hey guys,

First off, I am new on here but have been making knives for a couple of years and really enjoy it. I figured it was time to get to know the community a little better. Heres my question, I have several Desert Ironwood trees in my backyard, (dead and alive) and I was wondering what steps I need to take to make workable blocks or scales for handle material. I searched all over but I am still not sure how too prepare wood for this application. Do I cut off some live branches and let them dry for a year? Should I try and cut out some chunks of the huge dead trunk that has been there for at least the 12 years I have lived here. Any info can help, I just think it would be cool to be able to use some wood from my own property to make some high quality handles. I appreciate your time and any help,

Max
 
Desert Ironwood trees?...are you sure they are DESERT ironwood, not ironwood. There is a big difference. Where do you live?

Desert ironwood ( palo fiero) is Olneya tesota, ironwood is any of a bunch of acacia species.
 
from Wikipedia, The Desert Ironwood ( Olneya tesota ) grows as a bush or tree and reaches heights of about 10 metres (33 ft), and average trunk diameters of about 60 cm (24 in); in exceptional sites in larger protected washes, greater height and more massive.
 
bladsmth said:
And in the Senoran desert and surrounding area only IIRC.
Click to expand...

The Desert Ironwood, Olneya is native to the southwestern United States and the extreme northwest of Northern Mexico in the north, western-(Baja California Peninsula) and southeastern Sonoran Desert, and is partially an indicator species of that desert. It ranges to Baja California Sur, as well as the north Baja California, and is only east of the Baja Peninsula cordillera ranges, on the Gulf of California-(Sea of Cortez) side. It ranges northwest into the Colorado Desert-(a part of the Sonoran Desert), of southeast Southern California, is in western and southern Arizona, and Sonora state Mexico.
 
Hey guys,

Yes, it is a Desert Ironwood trees for sure, I even double checked. I live in Scottsdale, AZ. Matches your description well and the old dead one is hard as rock. Any suggestions on how I could prepare this wood for handle material?
 
Mark,

Just curious, in your post showing how to cut up that Ironwood log why wouldn't you identify that major crack on the end cut and align it vertically? The first cut splitting the log would be on or near that crack so the damaged area would be removed with your first slab cut or two. Your chances of a higher yield would go up after that, no?
 
I believe its a true professional that steps up and gives such a fine explanation on how to do something that is his every day work. I know you have done this before. Thank you Mark !!! No I'm not cutting any desert ironwood. Frank
 
i4Marc said:
Mark,
Just curious, in your post showing how to cut up that Ironwood log why wouldn't you identify that major crack on the end cut and align it vertically? The first cut splitting the log would be on or near that crack so the damaged area would be removed with your first slab cut or two. Your chances of a higher yield would go up after that, no?
Click to expand...
The cracks in ironwood are almost never straight and there is usually material near the crack that has to be trimmed away.
Any more I try to go more for look than volume when cutting.
This was cut a while back and I don't remember the details other than the thought that it is better to just buy pre cut blocks from one of the ironwood dealers.
Sometimes you can get good ironwood burl from Arizona Ironwood.
 
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