Looking for Lilac wood

[David Schott]

Hello,

I have a customer looking for lilac wood handles on a set of knives. I haven't had much luck locating any. Anyone know of current sources? I'd prefer stabilized but know lilac is sometimes not stabilized. Burl is a bonus...

Thanks.
-Dave

 

[David Loukides]

Hi David,
I have never heard or seen lilac wood used as knife handles. What does it look like?

 

[David Schott]

It should look something like the pics in here:
http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/lilac.htm

I've never seen it either, but see mention of it here and there over the years...

 

[David Loukides]

Hi Dave,
I just went thru all of my wood sites and did not find Chinaberry or Lilac.
It might work out better for you by calling around too.

 

[lonepine]

This is a picture of a knife I made in 2010. The handle material is common purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris) wood cut from a bush on my property.

It is very hard and solid. In my experience colors range from the common creamy tan but shades of pink running through it. It is going to need a long time to dry if you cut it green.

- Paul Meske

 

[richard j]

how big a piece do you need and how many? we had some cut down and i think the stump sticking up is dead and should be dry. i can cut some off tomorrow and see if i get any moisture at the cut. i might even cut a thin strip off the side to see what it looks like a few layers in.

 

[David Schott]

I need a block or scales big enough for a large fixed blade and a matching folder. If you could get me some that would be great!

 

[tryppyr]

If Richard's wood doesn't work, there's a guy I know of locally that has some. He doesn't do much selling to non-locals, but he does have a web site. I'd be happy to pick some up for you if needed. Always looking for an excuse to visit him.

 

[richard j]

its raining here today so if it quits i'll go out and get what i can. i hope its big enough too.