Hawaiian Koa- stabilized? when?

[robertmegar]

I need to know.... when do you stabilize woods... before or after you make the knife handle?

 

[Keith_H]

you usually stabilize the piece(s) of wood first. (I don't consider oiling or putting a finish on the wood a stabilization)

 

[NDallyn]

You have to stabilize the wood before (usually in blocks). All the stabilized wood I get is WSSI stabilized in blocks. From there, I can cut the blocks into scales or whatever. Wood can warp or crack during the stabilizing process, getting it done in blocks allows you to get the most useable material possible out of the piece. The curly koa I have used is all WSSI stabilized and I have not found a void, crack, or other problem in any of it.

Don't know if that answers your question (I'm assuming you were asking about already shaped scales or handles).

Nathan

 

[robertmegar]

Thanks for the quick answers, very helpful.