Ironwood Character or Defect?

[ea42]

That's definitely natural, you can see the way the grain curves up into it, like a knot in a tree. I definitely wouldn't have a problem with it, just look how attractive that piece looks, it has real depth.

Eric

 

[BrotherJim]

My guess is someone returned it didn't they?
It's Ironwood, not Dymondwood.
My choice? ... choice 1

 

[MerryMadMonk]

Might better post it in the knife maker's section? those guys/gals have seen a thing or two while making knives and using ironwood.

Or post a link there to this thread even?
G2

Yep, that's probably your best bet. Darrin Sanders, a BFC member, has worked with Desert Ironwood. He made this one...

 

[TX_planes]

It looks like a bark inclusion. Natural as Trevy suggested.

 

[pistonsandgears]

Natural characteristic

 

[Philbird]

That's definitely a natural flaw in a natural product.

 

[supratentorial]

It's a natural flaw in the wood. But whether or not it's character or a defect on a knife handle is debatable. Personally, I would want a different handle. If I were selling the knife, I would show the photo and let the buyer decide.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

Looks natural to me--certainly not the result of hammering with it.

I would be more bothered by the different shades of the two scales than the surface imperfection. Without holding the knife, I can't say whether I would return the knife or not. Each side definitely has character, and I have plenty of knives I enjoy with "mismatched" scales.

But back to your question, from your picture I'd say they are two sweet ironwood handles, but not necessarily a pair of sweet ironwood handles. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Macchina]

It may be a natural void, but the burl around it is awesome. I'd pour a bit of epoxy in the void and sand/polish it back to a shine. It'dv be a bummer to lose that grain by grinding the butt away. I really like it!

 

[sitflyer]

I've come across very similar looking natural voids / inclusions in ironwood. Being on the butt of the handle I would call that character. Another may look upon it and see defect. It wouldn't bother me in the least to own the knife with that natural inclusion. To be honest, I would need to see full side photos of both sides of the knife to determine how well matched or not the handles are, not that that would be a final determining point in it's desirability to me personally.

 

[lambertiana]

Option 1, with the character coming from a natural void in the burl. I have seen a number of pieces of ironwood burl with this.

 

[black mamba]

I'd say choice #1 between the two given, but . . .

It looks like a natural to me, but why not take another sixteenth off the butt to eliminate it?

Unless, as was suggested before, it was filled with CA and sandings, which didn't hold after the final finish.

 

[Stand Straight]

Looks like hardened sap where there was a twig at one time.

 

[Cory Hess]

I'd call it character, and I think it actually adds to the knife. I definitely wouldn't call that a flaw. These "flaws" are what i love about natural materials.

 

[Bob W]

It's natural and no one hammered with it. Still, depending on price, the maker could have filled the space or replaced with a different piece of wood.

You didn't ask, but if I were the maker I'd call it a "second" and sell it at a discount. The maker may have not even realized the flaw was there; the piece could have fallen out after the knife was completed.

 

[Sam Dean]

It may be a natural void, but the burl around it is awesome. I'd pour a bit of epoxy in the void and sand/polish it back to a shine. It'dv be a bummer to lose that grain by grinding the butt away. I really like it!

Option #1, and I agree with this completely. A good maker would leave it alone; a great maker would make the inclusion dissappear.

 

[Gevonovich]

Character void and natural.

 

[navihawk]

Choice 1: Sweet Ironwood handles with a little character. It's a nice little knot. Gives it a bit of character.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

It's a natural flaw in the wood. But whether or not it's character or a defect on a knife handle is debatable. Personally, I would want a different handle. If I were selling the knife, I would show the photo and let the buyer decide.

Definitely this !

 

[Half/Stop]

Choice 1: Sweet Ironwood handles with a little character. I would love to have a NF Medium Barlow from this next run just like that. Where do I sign up?