Long Term Experience with Osage Handles?

[Brian Andrews]

This is probably borderline appropriate for posting here. But, I am looking for some actual real world, long term experience feedback, from woods-bums.

I have seen many osage handles knives in the past and they have really never done much for me. I have not made one myself until a customer asked for one recently. As I polished it up more and more, it really shined, and grew on me. So, I had to make myself one.

There are many beautiful woods out there, and some of them just expand and contract too much for my taste (especially on a full tang knife). Maybe I am overly picky, but if I can begin to "feel" a pin with my fingernail, or the spine, it just really bugs me.

Some of my favorite woods, I have a lot of experience with. I either know that they are extremely stabile, or move such a small amount that it is cool with me. But, I don't have the same background with Osage.

That is why I am asking you good folks. Does anyone have an osage knife that has either a lot of years on it, or just been through hell? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Better yet, let's see some pics.

B

 

[kgd]

I have one from Bryan Breeden, about 2 years now. Not that many years, but it pulls hard duty in the kitchen. That means wet, occasional left in the sinks, lots of acids and the barest wipe and back in the block. Thus far its holding up fine. I prefer it a bit aged after it darkens up. Doesn't have that jaundice look to it so much. Wood doesn't seem to swell or move at all. I think its good stuff overall.

 

[bearthedog]

Hope this helps. My first trip to Peru was with a Nessmuk that had osage scales on the 01 blade. It spent lots of time outside of the sheath in the rain. The humidity was pretty bad. It was used hard and to this day no problems at all!
-RB

Before

In Peru

After

 

[cultivateitnow]

Osage cracks or "checks" when it dries. It also contains a poison and folks have died making bows from it. Make sure you use a mask when sanding it.

 

[NDWoods]

It is actually my favorite wood for duck calls, and I use my calls heavily. Not a tangent, but an example of how well the wood holds up getting wet and drying out every week. I also really like how it changes over time in color.

 

[DWK2]

I have a three-finger skinner made by Chris Peterson out of Salina, Utah (I believe). The blade is his own damascus and the handle is osage. I've owned it almost 15 years and the wood looks great. Cuts like crazy too. If I owned a digital camera, I'd post an image but I spent all my money on other things. About 25% on women, 25% on guns, and 25% on knives. The rest I just wasted.

DancesWithKnives