In praise of ebony: Traditional knives in the prince of wood

[Modoc ED]

I used a Scotch Brite Pad (sp?) Steve. It had a little crud on it and I didn't like the etching so I took it off. I'll let it patina a bit but I kinda like the looks of it the way it is so I think for this one, I'll continue with this treatment periodically.

 

[arrowhd]

Hard to beat ebony. A true classic.

 

[navihawk]

I used a Scotch Brite Pad (sp?) Steve. It had a little crud on it and I didn't like the etching so I took it off. I'll let it patina a bit but I kinda like the looks of it the way it is so I think for this one, I'll continue with this treatment periodically.

l like the look. It sort of gives it a custom look.

 

[Halfneck]

Cool thread. I always avoided Ebony because of the color. I was so tired of Black from all the tactical folders. Then I went with Ebony on my GEC Eureka Jack because I wanted no shield and preferred it bareheaded. While still blackish, it will change a bit depending on the lighting. So then I got a GEC Pemberton in Ebony because I wanted a single blade. The color on my Pemberton is more chocolate and I really liked it. Then I saw the light colored Ebony on the GEC #15 with the 1-arm Razor blade and all of a sudden I had three.

 

[oldmanrunning]

Two more.

 

[pistonsandgears]

I am a fan of ebony, it's really durable, looks good, and feels nice in the hand.

 

[jordansherer]

I am a fan of ebony, it's really durable, looks good, and feels nice in the hand.

Lovely knives! I'm particularly fond of the variety of shields you've managed to collect on these Ebonies! :thumbup:

 

[pistonsandgears]

Lovely knives! I'm particularly fond of the variety of shields you've managed to collect on these Ebonies! :thumbup:

Thanks, I am also a fan of interesting shields. Thats one thing I enjoy on the SFOs is that they often come with a different shield then GEC buts on their standard fare.

 

[Will Power]

Shields are indeed an interesting & integral part of many Traditionals. Fine display that Piston.

No shield here but filework and pin-work on a contemporary French Traditional in Ebony: le compact par Chambriard.

Regards, Will

 

[Modoc ED]

Back to the subject at hand - Ebony

GEC #12 Powderhorn

 

[black mamba]

I have always like ebony's toughness and wear characteristics for a knife handle, but the solid black is just too plain looking for me. I have a couple sets of stabilized handle scales in black & white ebony, sawn two different ways to get different grain patterns. Will be putting these on a couple fixed blades this summer.

 

[Will Power]

That's going to look outstanding Jeff, fantastic marbled effect.

 

[black mamba]

Thanks, Will, pics when completed.

 

[Modoc ED]

While ebony is a tough, sturdy, and great wearing, cover material it is not immune to damage due to even the most mundane use of the knife.

Pile side of a Brand spanking new #72 right out of the tube.

Same #72 after being dropped on the concrete floor of my shop. One of the shortcomings of bare head covers. Floated some Super Glue into the crack (which extends half way up the cover to the spring pin) to stabilize it and it's good to go.

 

[2Dead]

My only custom with ebony covers, a jack made by Ken Erickson off of an old Remington pattern.


And the start of a few GECs... An #09 Esquire, some #15s, and a #16.

 

[Jody744]

Nice! My new favourite thread!

 

[Will Power]

Heritage amongst Ebony allies.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Until recently, I was ebony-less.

When I first started buying traditionals, colored bone (brown, or tan), and stag were what caught my eye.

The longer I look, the more I love ebony. I have handled a few older ones, and a piece or two from GEC with ebony, and i really looks fantastic as it ages.

I have not bought a new knife in years due to finances.

Thanks to another member, I was able to win this in a giveaway. It is a lovely 23.

 

[pertinux]

Heritage amongst Ebony allies.

... a rather uncomfortable juxtaposition, this post and your signature line.



Great thread! I agree with others' sentiments regarding ebony; I have not yet met a pattern it does not suit (and enhance), regardless of price range and intended use. Ebony is my "coming home" default (when in doubt, one cannot go wrong with ebony...).

Until I can attempt a group picture in more favorable lighting (this early afternoon's attempts were a Fail), here are most of my ebony-clad knives, one by one (by two by three)....

Case Panama Jack, as wide a set o' swaths of blackest ebony I've seen:

GEC #25 barlow:

GEC #15s:

(I no longer own these two; one is now cherished in its new heart and home, and has already been featured in this thread; the other, I regret letting go of, as it is no longer in existence.)

I would love this wood even if, upon first seeing it, I did not have to be told it was ebony(!).

Learning that it was ebony rendered it irresistible.

(I'm missing a picture of one of my new-to-me #15s, a hearty and hardy piece that gives Timex a run for its [slogan's] money. I shall have to rectify this.)

Beast, a Belgian Army Knife reclad in ebony by Glennbad, a surprise gift from Kamagong:

Laguiole:

I'm OK:

(Lumberjack )

Originally clad in candystripe celluloid that began to devour it, this knife was rescued and re-covered in the Prince of Woods:

~ P.

 

[DavidZ]

Hen and Rooster