Howdy from an unstable guy with a knife

[SleepingBear]

I am wondering about ....what is stabilized materials. Is it something that has occured naturally in the material, like petrified wood? Or is it from a process than can make a material useful. I was considering buying a piece of Walrus tusk for a knife handle, and the seller claimed it was "stabilized." I've heard of this before, and have wondered if it is a forced process to improve a material. Like Torquoise for that matter...I've heard of raw, and stabilized.
If anyone knows about this..could you educate me ? How is it done, what is used? This may be common knowledge...so I'll confess up front..I'm a newbie, and I am learning a new hobby...haven't reached the point of buying a book..just repairing old broken knives, and grinding some mower blade steel.
SleepingBear

 

[Mike Hull]

It is a process where liquid acrylic is forced through and through the material by a process of vacuum, and pressure. It's then baked to solidify the acrylic, and you have stabilized material.

That's the short version.

It works well on most woods, horn, bone, tusks, etc.

http://www.stabilizedwood.com/

Edited to add; Welcome to Bladeforums! Enjoy!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

See my answer on the next thread -"How to stabilize wood".A search of the past threads (top of page "search this yhread") will give you a lot to not try. - Stacy