does Ipe need to be stablized?

[bronyblacksmith]

I am going to buy some natural Ipe and curly maple, and had heard Ipe it is very hard and water resistant, I like natural woods over stabilized are there any reasons why these need be stabilized?

 

[jimmyswan]

I've been using IPE at the golf course for accessories, I honestly don't know how you could stabilize it. It's so oily we have not been able to find a white paint to use on it, every time I think it's figured out the next day oil has bled through. Just my $.02

 

[Keilen]

Ipe is an awesome product for outdoor aplications. The oils in the wood, along with the density are what make this one of the best woods (next to teak and a few others) for exterior use. However, and I know that some will disagree, not a great handle material. I am new to knife making, but I have been buying and selling Ipe for 12 yrs. This product is difficult at best to glue due to the oils. Not saying it can't be done, but I would be carefull.

 

[Michael Rader]

I think a nice Teak oil finish or Pro-Custom gunstock finishing oil will do fine with it. I've made many tool handles out of Ipe and haven't noticed any swelling, splitting or other indications it's moving with humidity and moisture. And I find that Ipe works great with both Gorilla Glue and G-Flex epoxy.

Very, very durable. I have axe, hammer and shovel handles made from it.

 

[bronyblacksmith]

cool I will pick some up ans see how it goes. thanks all

 

[GHEzell]

You mentioned curly maple... I feel that rock/sugar maple is fine unstabilized, but most of the other varieties of maple (big leaf, silver, etc) could benefit from it, IMO.