Dymondwood?

All laminated woods are NOT CREATED THE SAME. There is a big difference in the manufacturing process of Dyondwood, Actionwood, Stratabond etc....
 
I haven't used pakkawood since the 80's, but the one knife with it I still have is still doing very well after a lot of outdoor use and abuse. I don't know for certain if it's the same stuff being sold as dymondwood today.
There's really only one way to find out; buy a couple pieces and beat the living snot out of it. If it fails (which I tend to doubt) you won't be out more than a few bucks.
 
One of the first handmade knives I bought had a charcoal pattern Dyamond wood handle. That and the natural wood colors, like the bottom knife above, I find very appealing. I have a knife in the works for my first honest to goodness customer, and I'm looking at some Dyamond Wood in natural walnut or charcoal. Any finishing tips? (So far all my knives have been for me or given away.)
 
Finishing? Sand to 400 grit, buff with 0000 steel wool, and buff with green compound.
 
mgysgthath said:
I put it on a kitchen knife and used vulcanized spacer in between (first knife handle -- mistake), which has since expanded and pushed the wood out so its higher than the pins now. I think if I would have just glued the wood straight on it would be fine. I actually like the pattern on it, it was a lot nicer than I thought it would be when I was looking at the blocks.
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When I first started making kit knives I made my mom a parer with Dymonwood and it did the same thing. It did not have liners. I keep thinking that sooner or later one of the scales will pop off but so far they are still on there. The wood is a good .040"-.050" above the pins. I quit using it when I saw this.
 
That's about the same as my situation Darrin, they're visibly below the surface. I keep thinking to sand it down and refine the handle shape, and maybe grind the liners off at the same time. It was my first handle and would look better with a re-shaping anyway. Thanks for letting me know it's not just me :)
 
darrin sanders said:
When I first started making kit knives I made my mom a parer with Dymonwood and it did the same thing. It did not have liners. I keep thinking that sooner or later one of the scales will pop off but so far they are still on there. The wood is a good .040"-.050" above the pins. I quit using it when I saw this.
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Darrin, does that knife get soaked a lot? I hand-wash all knives, and don't let anything with non-plastic handles soak (and obviously not the carbon steel ones either).
That red/brown paring knife above is indeed in my block. I'll keep an eye on it. The blue one is out of my control and I'll have to check up on it when I'm down in Virginia next year.

I've been thinking about putting some tru-oil on it to bring out the color in the wood. That might seal it up better too.

-Daizee
 
IMHO it's an another material to consider using for a handle. If some people don't like the looks of it, that's OK. It makes a solid, durable, weather proof, and when done properly, a good looking handle. It's not the best choice for EVERY knife, and stabilized spalted burl isn't the best choice for EVERY knife. Use it when appropriate.

- Paul Meske
 
daizee said:
I've been thinking about putting some tru-oil on it to bring out the color in the wood. That might seal it up better too.
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I'd be both surprised and disappointed if that made any difference in Dymondwood, or whatever they call it these days. The whole idea is that's it's not supposed to be hard to shape/finish, and shouldn't require any sealants.
 
Dymondwood just screams "China" and "Pakistan" to me.Whenever I see a wood laminate for scales I don't even look at the blade.But,hey,if you like walking around with a knife that looks like it was sold on some cable auction channel at 3a.m.,go for it. Just don't pull it out and expect me to be impressed,no matter whose name is on the blade.
 
It was used by custom makers long before the Chinese started using it.
The single colors look good. The multi colors look cheap.
 
About 20 years ago it was very popular. You could get it in many , many colours. I would offer African blackwood, pao ferro, macassar ebony and many other woods but the diamond wood, stamina wood, packa wood, and others were always chosen.Some like the brightness of certain combinations. I remember buying it in sheets that were say 18" X 36" besides many sizes smaller. I found it finished well and very easily. Frank
 
Yes, about 20 years ago it was very popular. Then a rush of Pakistani and Indian crap knives came into the country with brightly colored laminated wood handles. Soon after no custom maker wanted his knives to be mistaken for cheap imported crap.

Yes, you can get it in bright colors. You can also get Dymondwood in walnut, cocobolo, rosewood tones, etc. Unlike the cheap import handles the laminations are thin enough that when finished out it can look like straight-grained wood.

But, something to think about: As much as Dymondwood and similar (quality) laminates are trashed among the custom knife forums for their appearance, many of us don't hesitate to put handles made from wildly colored G10 or even homebrewed canvas or burlap laminates on our knives.
 
NStricker said:
But, something to think about: As much as Dymondwood and similar (quality) laminates are trashed among the custom knife forums for their appearance, many of us don't hesitate to put handles made from wildly colored G10 or even homebrewed canvas or burlap laminates on our knives.
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truth !!!
 
rickc71 said:
Dymondwood just screams "China" and "Pakistan" to me.Whenever I see a wood laminate for scales I don't even look at the blade.But,hey,if you like walking around with a knife that looks like it was sold on some cable auction channel at 3a.m.,go for it. Just don't pull it out and expect me to be impressed,no matter whose name is on the blade.
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wow, that's a close-minded statement if ever I've seen one.

What's the difference between Dymondwood and G10?...which can also be found in a wild array of colors and, more to the point, be found on Pakistan/China knives. Do you react the same way when you see a knife with a G10 handle?

And, let's go one step further...some of those cheap flea market knives use stag/bone for handles. Do you give the same reaction upon seeing a knife with similar scales?
 
The blue one looks like the canvas or blue jean micarta material. I really like that one too.
 
GrizzlyBear said:
wow, that's a close-minded statement if ever I've seen one.

What's the difference between Dymondwood and G10?...which can also be found in a wild array of colors and, more to the point, be found on Pakistan/China knives. Do you react the same way when you see a knife with a G10 handle?

And, let's go one step further...some of those cheap flea market knives use stag/bone for handles. Do you give the same reaction upon seeing a knife with similar scales?
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+100 :)
 
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