Identify these handle slabs please

V

Von Gruff

Joined
Nov 24, 2014
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First post although I have been lurking and reading for a while.
I have played with a few knives for a few years (well, since making the first one in the 70's) with them being by stock removal. I have been fortunate in having been given a few exotic materials for handles etc with the steel all having been from files, rasps and old saw blades.
I was given some nice pieces of wood the other day but can not identify one pair and was wondering if anyone here might be able to from this rather poor pic


Von Gruff
 
Closer and clearer photos would help. Also, show the ends and side grain.

It looks a bit like end grain cut Black and White ebony. It looks good when cut in that direction, but is very prone to cracking, as the strength is very low on any end grain cut.

It could also be many other woods, from Moabi to Desert Ironwood.
 
I dont think B&W. My guess would be something more like desert ironwood or perhaps marblewood.

Stacy is right though. Some better photos, side grain, end grain "sanded" and in a few different lighting settings gives the best picture of a wood.

Also tell some other characteristics. Does it feel very heavy for its size? light? Does it feel oily or dry? does it have an order when you sand it? is that the fresh surface or is it aged?
 
This is a slightly clearer pic with the pieces givfen a light sand and a wetting. The colours are honey to chocolate



Another question is that being end grain, would it be too prone to cracking to use on a knife.

Von Gruff
 
How hard does it feel? Does it feel more open grained or more like a pit? It almost looks like olive wood.
 
It is not DI or any burly wood. The striped grain shown by the side view indicates a straight grain wood.

Looks more like end grain marblewood, now.

You are correct that it will be prone to warp and crack.
 
I guess I will put them in the drawer as an oddity that will not be used but is pretty to look at then. I was intending to use them to make a knife for this latest rifle I have built but instead, I will use a piece of the walnut from the offcuts for the handle with buffalo horn bolsters for it
 
Nice rifle. I used to customize old 03-A3, 30-06 Springfields. They make great hunting rifles.

Your scales can be used, but they will need to be laminated on a G-10 liner.
 
Not really having knifemaking supplies outlets here and getting one of parts in from the US being more cost than benefit I am not able to easily access g10 or any of the other supplies most of you have on hand or take for granted. I will just have to go with plan B.
 
Electronic supply houses or boat builders are both likely sources of G10. Although most of your Americas Cup sailors have departed for higher paying teams, there must be some boat builders left. Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
Tim
 
That is a great sugestion Tim, I hadn't considered that as a source. You are right in many of the sailors having decamped for the bright lights of the big budget camps but the boat builders are still here so I will see what I can find.
 
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