How stable is Bubinga?

[daizee]

Hi All,

One of Ken Hall's knives in the for-sale forum reminded me that I've got a nice piece of 1/4" Bubinga.
How stable is it across humidity etc.?
Does it take oil, or is it more like cocobolo and just needs a polish?

I'm considering putting it on a knife for a friend so he has to explain to people that his knife has bubinga handles. The idea of all the funny looks he'll get entertains me greatly.

Thanks,

-Daizee

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Bubinga is a very stable wood. The only finish I would suggest is an oil. I don't do any finish at all....just sand and buff.

 

[Burl Source]

Bubinga is a good tough wood. My experience is that it will take a good oil or lacquer finish.
I would suggest to never use ANY wood without a finish (even cocobolo).
Lack of a finish leaves wood prone to surface checking or cracks if left in direct sunlight even for just a few hours.
At the very least wax and buff.

 

[KHall]

Daizee,

The Bubinga I had had fine open pores like walnut. I had sent some off to K&G to have it stabilized to see if their process would fill in the pores. Their process seem to fill some but not all of the pores. I am happy with the results.

Ken

 

[daizee]

What an ideal selection of respondents and density of information. Thank you!
I'm going to frame this thread.

My plan will be to use the wood unstabilized, but with some appropriate oil finish. I'll forgo the usual lanyard hole to keep the natural wood well supported at the butt.

-Daizee

 

[Troop]

Teak Oil by Watco works great on Bubinga. It seems like it penetrates better than a lot of the other oils out there. As has been mentioned before, it is a very stable wood; you can use it without having it stabilized.