Looking for a white wood for fluted handle

SVanderkolff

SVanderkolff

Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
979
I am going to be attempting my first fluted handle and would like to start on something not ivory but need the clean white look. Any suggestions for a white or yellow wood that would work well . Preferably one that I can stabilize.
Thanks
Steve
 
In terms of just color: Hard Maple, Spruce, American Holly. Workability will vary of course; e.g., Hard Maple is far more dense than Spruce, and because of that it tends to be a more stable wood on its own.
 
I have some holly wood grips on a Blackhawk that are hard as a rock and mimic ivory. I would think that would work well.
 
Being it's for practice what about other materials. Corian comes to mind. Should be relatively easy to find in white and I know it machines rather nicely as its used on counter tops, backslashes, showers etc. U can probably find some scrap block at a kitchen, bathroom place. They'll have other materials too , that might catch your eye. No need to stabilize either
 
Carbide tools are suggested to machine Corian, so if you were planning on hand carving the flutes...not saying it would be impossible with files and hardened steel tools, but wood would be easier. I think wood will make a more durable handle for a working knife. Corian will chip on a corner from an impact that would dent wood, Corian can also crack or break though, when wood might not. If you are going to stabilize the wood, anything suggested so far would work, I'd add sycamore to the list, and I have seen some white pine with a "blister" or "bird's eye" figure that would look great as well
 
I know Murray carter uses corian for his handles/bolsters lately. Would probably work well as an inlay too. I've had wood handles break upon impact as well so I guess don't drop em. Pros n cons to everything I guess. Take all suggestions with a grain of salt
 
White linen micarta. Looks like ivory, sands fairly easily, stable.

I have some one a subhilt, looks great.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
I'd love to see some fluted micarta handles. :thumbup:

I've heard that Corian is difficult to work with. Might be some white acrylic out there somewhere.

For wood, aspen is about the lightest colored stuff that comes to mind. Very light and 'fluffy' so wouldn't make a good functional tool handle, but maybe OK for practice?

quaking-aspen.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top