Masur/ karelian birch.

Greenberg Woods

Greenberg Woods

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
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Hey guys. I want to keep this simple and non sales based.

What are your opinions on Masur birch? I have been talking to some suppliers from the Motherland and have some options. I havnt seen the wood much in the U.S, but have seen it on many European knives.

Is it a wood that interests people? Would you want it naturally stabilized or just dyed?

Example
A7sp2Wj.jpg
 
It is one of my favorites as I like Scandinavian knives. I especially like end grain as it looks like a sunset or sunrise...... I don’t know if Karelian birch is exactly the same thing or not. Do you?
 
It sure looks beautiful. Not sure if I'd use it or not.... As you know, I prefer curls.....
 
Masur Birch is a popular wood and a good seller. Karelian Birch is the same thing. Just called Karelian because of the location where it grew.
When stabilized it leans more toward an amber color instead of the off white if untreated.
Birch is one of the woods that has a significant weight gain when stabilized. It takes dyes very well too.
Stabilized Birch is one of the easier woods to work and finish. Great for beginners and experienced makers.

If you can get it from a supplier at a reasonable price I would say to buy as much as you can afford.
A lot of what is available can cost as much as good Koa and is usually cut into smaller blocks than I like.
 
i bought a block of karelian birch from Mark several years ago and it was some of the nicest stuff I have worked to date. I would by it again.
 
I like it when you can find it. Stabilized only. I like the curls and figures in the wood. Only place I have found it is out of Russia.
 
I've been looking for some and would rather buy from a forum member than elsewhere. Having never worked with it I'd be curious to try both stabilized and the traditional oil soak.
 
I loved the piece I got from you. That figure works very well on non puukko knives. Anyone who usually goes for tightly figured woods would be hard pressed to complain about it.
 
Geoff Flato said:
I loved the piece I got from you. That figure works very well on non puukko knives. Anyone who usually goes for tightly figured woods would be hard pressed to complain about it.
Click to expand...

Can you post that photo? Its actually the first photo I have gotten back from a client who used the masur.
 
I make a knife every year for a family reunion. They are Norwegian, so I call it Norwegian Birch. works fairly easy. i finish with tung oil.
TJ Smith
 
I like it and have been tempted a few times but have been worried about the hardness of the wood. I generally use kydex for sheaths and have found certain woods like redwood even when stabilized to mar at the front of the handle from insertion over time.
 
I like the natural piece I got from you. I haven't used it yet but should be soon.
 
TLR said:
I like it and have been tempted a few times but have been worried about the hardness of the wood. I generally use kydex for sheaths and have found certain woods like redwood even when stabilized to mar at the front of the handle from insertion over time.
Click to expand...

I would not be worried. Redwood is one of the softest woods, and it does not take stabilizing very well.

Masur birch is significantly more durable that redwood even when natural, and its low oil content means it stabilized very well.
 
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