Help w/suggestions handle on custom?

Frank Castle

Frank Castle

Joined
Dec 6, 1999
Messages
667
Hi,

I can't make up my mind on my new custom I have on order! Its a Larry Chew Covert D/A spitfire 3.5" proto.

Problem is I could use some help with a nice handle material. I have narrowed it down to a nice exotic wood. Pics/sites experiences would be a nice help.

Larry would like to get his hands on a pistachio wood source if anyone can help. I'd go with that since he approoves of it so much. Thanks for the help.

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S4Supply.com
 
I have #2 Proto of the Covert.Nice Desert Ironwood Burl.Beautiful!!!
PS Semper Fi
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have a"knife"day

[This message has been edited by nifrand (edited 02-26-2001).]
 
Hey Nifrand,

Can you post or send a pic? The desert Iron wood was one of the possibilities.

My last desicion making process like this was when a Discovery chanel special popped on about the Labre' tar pits. Tada! I went with Mastadon Ivory. I hope a rain forest special doesn't make me feel guilty about my choosing wood.
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Thank you.
 
For me, desert ironwood is pretty much tops in the looks and durability department for hardwoods. I've seen some slabs of this wood with absolutely amazing figure. And stability is pretty important if you live in a high humidity part of the world like me.

Just my 2cents
Red

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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Frank- Matt Lamey used pistachio for a handle at his site. He might be able to point you towards a source. IMHO- desert ironwood is one of the most beautiful woods in the world, an added bonus is that you can use a piece grown right in the ol' USA!
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Thanks Red,

I should say that this will be a user to. Larry took my fear away when he told me that he will make it look good as new when ever I want! So, a durable wood is also a requirement. Thanks

Richard,

Good point and thanks for the tip. I never saw the pistachio. Wouldn't it make my fingers all red? Thats a joke...
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DO you have a link to Matt's site? Thanks

[This message has been edited by Frank Castle (edited 02-27-2001).]
 
Check out this desert ironwood!
DIMEDHNTR.jpg


Knife and photo by Neil Blackwood. Oh, Neil, I know what I want on that Stellite Tac/Utility
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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Try California Buckeye, man a great pattern, very nice stuff.



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Peace

Paul
Custom Knife Purveyor
"We support the new maker!"
I take Paypal. ask me how??
Circle P Knives
 
Matt's site is www.lameyknives.com The model with pistachio is his Pearl River Hunter. Beautiful wood! A while back I did an Internet search just typing in the words "desert ironwood". Got lots of sites with great information and very nice pictures.
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Thanks Richard,

I have came up with sites with pics, but a lot were not clear. Texas Knife makers supply had everything under the sun but good pics.

Stjames posted pic is a beauty. I came up with this pic.
cricket_brown.jpg


Thanks to all with this great help.

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Frank Castle:
Hi,
<snip>I have narrowed it down to a nice exotic wood. Pics/sites experiences would be a nice help.

<snip>
</font>
Click to expand...

My last 2 knives have been in Amboyna burl, and I'm working on a knife with a Thuya handle

url]


I got the wood from Righteous Woods

[url="http://www.righteouswoods.net"]http://www.righteouswoods.net [/URL]

They have enough photos there to make you drool


[This message has been edited by Charles Gallo (edited 02-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Charles Gallo (edited 02-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Charles Gallo (edited 02-28-2001).]
 
Keep in mind that since wood is a natural material it is subject to environmental changes. Scales on a folder are generally around 1/8" thick or less can pull away and cup.
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I have a custom folder with desert ironwood that has one the ends lifted up. This was delivered in early December so may be buy the summer time it will sit flat and snug again.
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This particular folder has just two screws on each scale.

Just something to think about.
smile.gif





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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
Maddog,

Just when the scales were tipped towards the desert ironwood! Well, thats what I'm interested in. Something that will look nice but problem free. A little thing like that would take the magic away. I'd go nuts until summer set in again.

Well thank you for the heads up. I'm gonna get some input from Larry on the season change thing to.

Chris That wood looks similar. That is gives me a good visual, how does that treat you? Thanks on that pic.
hall.jpg
Thanks for the link.



[This message has been edited by Frank Castle (edited 02-27-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Frank Castle:
Thanks for the link.

[This message has been edited by Frank Castle (edited 02-27-2001).][/B]</font>
Click to expand...

Frank,

I think you meant to ask me (It's my knife) - So far, it's held up well on this knife, but I'be only had it two weeks. My other knife with the same wood (But a MUCH darker finish - oil) has held up well since October of last year. The thing is, that one ISN'T an EDC so...

Charlie

 
Hi Ya'll,

I have choosen the Desert Ironwood Burl to let you know. I have spoke with Larry and he tell me the wood holds up nice. I like the look personally. If it is treated with oils well it is less apt to move with dry/wet/humid conditions. If it gets bad I'll go synthetic. I want to thank every body for helping out. They all look good still!

I will post a proud pic and write up when it arrives.

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S4Supply.com
 
Here it is! Got it yesterday. The wood is beautiful. Appears 3D. Thanks for making a hard choice easier.


View

 
Nice choice for a nice knife. I had a Coleman folder in Desert Ironwood and carried it for a few months with no problems. Great looking stuff as well. Enjoy!
 
Beautiful knife Frank! I think you will be pleased with the ironwood, it's a natural beauty.

I have a custom fillet knife with 3/8" ironwood slabs (not burl though), and it has been used and abused. It's usually hung in a tree, in its full length sheath, rain or shine.

The polished 440C blade has clouded just a bit, but the ironwood has not budged ! It's been thrown on the rocks, washed with sand and spent hours wet...and I can still see the 3D effect.

Enjoy!

Steve-O


 
Just a snippet of info regarding woods. When I was in tech school 15 odd years ago, they had a manual on PEG-1000, that is Poly ethylene glycol, polymerised in units of about 1000 molecules. The claim was that this melts at about 60C and when wood is soaked in it for a couple of weeks, the polymer penetrates the wood fully, giving even GREEN woods a total resistance to cracking and warping. Can't remember much more detail than that, but it may be worth pursuing for some custom makers out there.

Stuart Dunbar

 
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