Fiddle back maple?

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
Is fiddle back maple tough enough to use for slab or scale handles if you have it stabilized or should it only be used on stick tang knives??
I have some real nice lookin fiddle back but it seems kinda soft to me.
Thanks up front ya bastids!!! :D
 
If it seems soft compared to what you are used to seeing in maple it may be too soft to use for that. Maple is rather easy to work compared to other hard woods and if it is not relatively soft to maples you have used before it should be okay. There is also the chance that it is from a 'Soft Maple'. Wood from Hard Maple is the usual choice.

RL
 
There are two general families of maple. Big leaf (or red) maple is the softer of the two. Sugar (or rock) maple is harder, and is frequently used for bowling alleys and butcher blocks.

Fiddle-back (aka "tiger" and "curly"), quilted, and birdseye figure can be found in all species of maple.

It sounds like you have the soft stuff, Michael.
 
Ugh!
Oh well, I can always glue it up and turn a nice vessel out of it on my lathe.
 
I agree with Tracy, sent it WSSI. You will not be disapointed with the results.
 
I'm gettin a batch of stuff ready to send them, might as well throw some fiddle back in the mix. Thanks guys!!!
 
I've got lots of good hard fiddleback in my firewood pile !!!
 
What is WSSI???? A company that stabilizes wood I take it? Anyone have a link please?

Oh btw, Michael... I think any wood thats stabilized is suitable for handle material. Just my opinion, but I've made some fantastic handles and bowls out of poplar.
 
Hey Michael,

Are you going to throw in the dino I sent? If you do please report your results.

Mark
 
I don't know about the hardness but good fiddle back is pretty enough to be worth stabilizing. BTW I just returned from a one year break, moved, built a shop etc. Just wondered if you ever had a chance to use the mesquite I sent you and whether you liked it or not.
 
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