How long do wood scales need to air dry

[clich]

Got a deal on rosewood burl wood for scales. How long will it need to air dry to avoid cracking and splitting? So far its been cut and drying for two months.

 

[jarodmichael]

Got a deal on rosewood burl wood for scales. How long will it need to air dry to avoid cracking and splitting? So far its been cut and drying for two months.

If they are stabilized, like they need to be for Rosewood Burl because they are very soft, then they need no time. Not sure if they havent been stabilized.

Stabilizing is when they use resin, heat and pressure to imregnate the wood (kinda like micarta) to make it nice and hard. They are still able to be stained and it is much harder, so carving with a knife is difficult (trust me) but with a dremel would be easy as pie.

So, if you plan on making Rosewood Burl scales, they need to be stabilized already unless you have the means to do so. If you do not use stabilized scales then they will dent/scratch with a fingernail, and take lots of damage during their life of use.

Hope this wasn't took lengthy! Good luck!

Oh! And for fastening together look up "chicago screws" on knifekits.com.