Ever worked with Mountain Mahognay?

[wildmanh]

Have you guys ever worked with Mountain Mahogany or seen it used for knife scales? I know that it's not a common wood, even though it's very plentiful in the western states. Just curious if you guys have any experience with it, or wanted to play with some?

It grows all over the hills here in Central Utah. I sent some pieces to some cousins because they are big into turning wood. Been thinking of harvesting some to make tool and knife scales (got a few blade blanks that need scales).

Here are some pictures of the branch that I sent to my cousins:

The local variety is Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany.


Here's some links about the plant:

http://oregonstate.edu/trees/broadleaf_genera/species/mtn_mahogany_spp.html

http://forestry.usu.edu/htm/treeid/other-species/curleaf-mountain-mahogany/

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/mountain-mahogany/

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/cercocarpus_ledifolius.shtml


Will be heading back into the hills soon to harvest some for my projects. Thought I'd share some info with you.

 

[hiredgun]

Hello Heber,

I haven't ever made knife scales with it but I did make a cane about 15 years ago for my wife's grandpa out of it. As I recall it is quite hard and dense. I would love to get my hands on some small pieces to make some knife scales with it. The piece you show looks like it might have some really nice character to it. Let me know how it works out for you.

James

 

[wildmanh]

Hey James, thanks for your input! I cut the branch in two places with a hand saw, took forever! Yes, that branch has a lot of character. We're chatting about Mountain Mahogany and Crafts over in the H.I. Cantina in the manufactures section. You wouldn't happen to have pictures of the Cane would you? If so, I'd love to see them.

 

[hiredgun]

No pics, but the next time I ever get up to Montana to see "gramps" I'll ask him to let me photograph the cane. Hopefully he won't whack me with it. He's really taken to it and from what I hear he gave his in home care nurse a tongue lashing for taking it out of the same room he was in last year.

 

[wildmanh]

LOL! Great story. My brothers mother inlaw has a cane. Been thinking of making one for her out of Oak or Mountain Mahogany. Heck, if I ever find a good piece of wood that's long enough for a walking staff, I'll make one for my self too. I'm 6'4" tall, so most walking sticks are to short.

 

[HardrockMiner]

I just finished a knife with mountain mahogany scales. I love the way it looks. I took a branch 2" in diameter and screwed a 2x4 it and ran it through the table saw to get some nice scales. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

 

[Fiddleback]

If you are going to use it, try to find trunk, not branch wood. The closer a piece is to standing vertical, the better. Limbs have tention on the top of the branch and compression at the bottom. They are very rarely stable.

 

[wildmanh]

I just finished a knife with mountain mahogany scales. I love the way it looks. I took a branch 2" in diameter and screwed a 2x4 it and ran it through the table saw to get some nice scales. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Thanks for your comments and Welcome to the Forums!

If you are going to use it, try to find trunk, not branch wood. The closer a piece is to standing vertical, the better. Limbs have tention on the top of the branch and compression at the bottom. They are very rarely stable.

Andy, thanks for the info. Next time I go harvesting, I'll make sure to look for some trunks.

 

[HardrockMiner]

 

[HardrockMiner]