Handle Material Poll

[ddavelarsen]

Dave, not to be contrary, but I would have to go with Cocobolo. If not an option than Ironwood.

Kevin, I have lost my only piece of Cocobolo. I'd purchased it years ago for another project that's coming to its time, and now can't find it. That project is going to get African Blackwood instead. I guess I'm going to have to go shopping for a piece of Cocobolo though, because I really like it too. I prefer buying lumber to blocks or scales cut to knife-sized pieces, because I get to pick the part of the wood I use. Well, and because it's cheaper.

 

[CarpScot]

Looks like I am little late but I really like Padauk for scales once it has had a chance to age. :thumbup:

 

[ddavelarsen]

DI is a great choice as are most of the woods listed. I love Black Palm when it fits the application. The end grain on it is spectacular.

Hope to see the knife when it is done.

Peter

Peter I know what you mean about black palm; I really like the end grain too. I've watched for a big enough piece that I could cut it to take more advantage of the end grain but I don't think the trees are large enough. At least no one ever saws it in really large blocks. Possibly because it doesn't turn well? I've used it a lot though and finally and getting to the point I can get the most out of it. That's a lot of grain to fill!

Assuming I don't completely botch these, I will definitely show this one and its brother here when I'm done. The finish on this blade is the closest I've come to a truly clean mirror. Didn't even wash out the grinds too bad!

 

[ddavelarsen]

Looks like I am little late but I really like Padauk for scales once it has had a chance to age. :thumbup:

I've had that board for a long time (close to 20 years!) and don't even remember what the interior looks like anymore. But you're right, it's great wood. Other stuff that I've made out of it has really aged well.

 

[peterinct]

Peter I know what you mean about black palm; I really like the end grain too. I've watched for a big enough piece that I could cut it to take more advantage of the end grain but I don't think the trees are large enough. At least no one ever saws it in really large blocks. Possibly because it doesn't turn well? I've used it a lot though and finally and getting to the point I can get the most out of it. That's a lot of grain to fill!

I once saw a small billy club (about 12" long) made from it and it was really cool. I have a few boards of black palm and they are about 1/3" thick and about 4" wide. It is VERY fibrous and checks easily. I was making some scales for a knife and after doing nearly all the profiling and milling...it checked on me!

There are a LOT of nice woods out there.

Peter

 

[ddavelarsen]

Well okay guys, I'm getting ready to make the handle. Ironwood took it by two votes if I count the replies; it's a tie in the poll alone. Because I'm kind of a klutz and that's the only piece of ironwood I have and because it's so freakin beautiful, I'm leery of using it. I'm going to use African Blackwood because I have enough of it to "do over" if the FUF keeps hanging around... She must love me.

I'll probably have these done in two weeks. I put black paper Micarta on the bead blasted one this morning and will probably try to get the wood handle done today too. I'd like to start shaping them up tomorrow. Don't know what it is - whether it's just that I've wanted to make a Model 1 for so long, or that you never really see 1-5s and I almost have two of them, or what - but I'm more psyched about these knives than anything I've done lately. I hope I don't screw either of them up!

I voted for the Gonco Alves. I think the orange-ish color would be a pretty good match for the normal leather washer handle. I would prefer the wood over the leather anyday, BTW.

Danbo, that's a really good thought. I agree with you re wood vs leather and I really don't enjoy making leather handles, but they're so traditional on Randall knives it almost seems irreverent to make my first ones out of wood. Anyway, I like the Goncalo Alves too and this is a particularly nice board. I'll probably end up using everything you guys have mentioned in one or another of the show knives. [Wait - Knife Show: Holy Freakin Yikes!!! ] No way to lose on that deal - your finely honed opinions coupled with my own excellent perspective can't go wrong! See you later, and thanks again -

 

[RogerP]

Cool - looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

Roger

 

[David Stifle]

There are two lovely woods, both of which is not too expensive, that you may also want to consider. The first is curly narra. It looks a bit like curly maple, but better in my opinion.The second is mytle burl. A lovely wood. Personally, I'm a bit tired of the glut of blackwood, and even ironwood, on the market, although they are both beautiful woods,

Just my two cents.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[betzner]

Peter, here is an example of some nice black palm. With all those spots, seemed like it ought to have a snarling leopard on it, thus the "cat knife" theme.

 

[RogerP]

Bob - that wood is stunning!

Roger

 

[betzner]

Roger, the cross-grain pieces one usually finds have much smaller buttons. These with the larger buttons really make into some remarkable slabs but aren't nearly as easy to come across. At least that's been my experience. D' found these, I think, at Blade about three years ago.

He got two knives out of the material, this being one. He surprised me with the knife, actually. I hadn't ordered it, didn't know it was coming but snapped it right up when he told me he had a "betzner" knife for me to check out.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Peter, here is an example of some nice black palm. With all those spots, seemed like it ought to have a snarling leopard on it, thus the "cat knife" theme.

Man that's exactly what I've been looking for! I've tried to find large enough pieces of black palm to cut across the grain like that, but never have found any. That's stunning.

As it turned out, I've ended up with the Goncalo Alves for the second knife. (Long story.) And then I didn't get it put together yesterday anyway - I broke my tap wrench at 5:15 pm, and both local hardware stores were already closed. I'll have to get that moving again today. Freakin FUF has been joined at my hip this weekend; sheesh.