Grading Desert Ironwood Burl

JTknives

JTknives

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
8,650
I am needing help grading some desert ironwood burl blocks that are listed kinda pricey at almost 80 bucks for a block. I am wanting to use it for a D-guard bowie and don't mind paying the money as i want the best. but what do i look for and what constitutes Presentation or Exhibit grade A . I did request more pictures of each side so i can kinda get an idea on its figure. Any ideas? Thanks
 
This is the nicest ironwood I ever had, if that helps:
4.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg
 
would you say that almost 80 bucks is to much for a 5" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" premo Presentation grade block of desert iron wood
 
Id say it depends on just how absurdly nice it is....

FWIW, I don't think I ever paid more than 50$ for a set of scales in the highest quality flawless burl with high contrast....

..natural materials can be priceless depending on the situation, though....I think I'd need to see them first.

Question is: Will the $80 scales actually pay for themselves in the final price of the knife? If not, youre just doing a huge favor for your customers and taking away from your profit.
 
most likely its a knife that i will keep for my own collection but I'm not sure yet.
these are the ones I'm looking at. I cant decide what one looks like its the best. I'm thinking number 1 but i really don't know as i have never worked with it before.
 

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Personally, I think the third would look best, but I am drawn more towards the contrast and banding than tight burl pattern that some people lust after!

If its for your own collection, spare no expense! You are worth it!
 
i don't think any of these three sets of scales are worth that kind of money. you should be able to find book matching scales for less money than that.

Marcel
 
thats some nice wood but if you look i think you can find just as good at maybe a bit less

for me i would.not pay 80 for iron wood scales when i have got dam nice stuff for just over half that
might be to me a point of diminishing returns
 
I like the top scale on #3, too bad the bottom doesn't hold the same contrasting. #1 has the most contrast and consistency of the three of them.
 
You could always do a mortise tang using thick scales if you have to.
 
I know Texasknifemakers supply had some really nice ironwood a while for approx. $40-$50 a block exhibition grade.

Personally, I think $80 is high for those.

I'm not crazy about their customer service, but they always come thru on their orders.

Maybe you can get pictures before you buy.
 
$80 seems a bit high to me,too.
I like #3 best.
BTW, fellows, I think the photos are left and right block sides, not bookmatched scales.
Stacy
 
Ditto on #3 being my fav. Ditto on too pricey, but then a lot of stuff's too rich for my blood.
 
I just might buy #3 as i requested some side pictures and #3 pattern goes allthe way through and looks very nice. I mean if i get some from jantz i just get what ever they pull out and it would cost me 59 plus 10 bucks for shipping. i can get this one shiped to me for a total of 80. it does look like a very premo block of iron wood.
 
here are the side shots of #3
 

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J

I wouldn't pay $80 for any of those - but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder - and so is grading.

I would be looking for

  • minimal or no flaws
  • contrast
  • outstanding figure
  • Balanced figure and colour - probably a good bookmatch
$80 is a premium price. It should make you drool!

Rob!
 
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