Gray cocobolo scales after sanding

[Britt_Askew]

The Panamanian cocobolo looks a bit like yours, but it still isn't straight grained.

the straight grain comes from being quatersawn

 

[Tll6]

Originally the grain pattern looked like block #5. I chose the straight grained parts for the handle

I'll file the scraps and smell it again lol

 

[E.Carlson]

Not a knife scales but it's cocobolo, sanded to 1000 grit and buffed with compound paste and aplied carnauba wax...

First picture before process, last two are cocobolos.

Finished products, last one I like most of them, it have colors like honey...

Those are some fine looking fire pistons sir.

 

[Hengelo_77]

There is a technique where you wet wood after sanding to raise the grain and sand smooth afterwards.
So it isn't unheared of to use water when sanding. (only you resand after it dried)

 

[A C Richards]

Yes wetting wood to raise grain is common. It really does not work on rosewoods very well. They a are dense enough not to need it. In the op's case he was getting pin material embedding into his scales, causing the gray. The water helped to distribute the metal shavings. Also when you wet the wood for raised grain you let it dry like Hangelo mentioned.

I have not seen cocbolo turn that color before. I have had paduk turn gray before. Not that I have seen every possible scenario but the paduk suggestion seems pretty spot on. I know one thing, cocobolo burns my nose and gives me a slight rash. Paduk does not.

 

[Jesenius]

Jesenius, are those Turkey call strikers, or something altogether different? They are beautiful whatever they are!

Thank You very much, Fish! I don't know what exactly turkey call striker is, I assume from pictures on net that is something used for hunting turkey, if I am wrong pls. correct Me. On this pictures are firepistons that I made for My customers. Unfortunately I don't have a knife handle from cocobolo.

If You like WIP videos, here are few from making My firepistons.

How a firepiston is made-1
How a firepiston is made-2
How a firepiston is made-3
How a firepiston is made-4

 

[Jesenius]

Those are some fine looking fire pistons sir.

Thank You very much again!