Need some wood ideas

Cool thing about Osage is that over time and exposure to uv it turns purple!
 
Cocobolo is unusually tough to work with. If it isn't the staining, clumping dust, it's the fact that it migrates all over and into the air.
At my age, I just don't want to deal with it, although, it is certainly a beautiful wood.
I have several 3x3"x24" and a few 2 1/5 square x36" I'd love to part with. This is nice and clear that I bought about 20 years ago.
 
Has anyone used lignum vitae for knife handles? I have carved some cleats and other traditional boat fttings using this amazing wood.
My question is how well slim parts would hold up in a knfe handle.
 
It is a wonderful handle material, but it is hard to sand and finish. It is also tough on saw blades.
 
Northshore4270 said:
Has anyone used lignum vitae for knife handles? I have carved some cleats and other traditional boat fttings using this amazing wood.
My question is how well slim parts would hold up in a knfe handle.
Click to expand...
I have some blanks I cut up.....
they were doing fine, then out of nowhere, they developed all sorts of cracks.
-not through cracks. But cracks none the less.
Idk what I'm going to do with them? :/
 
Northshore4270 said:
Has anyone used lignum vitae for knife handles? I have carved some cleats and other traditional boat fttings using this amazing wood.
My question is how well slim parts would hold up in a knfe handle.
Click to expand...
I'm able to get Lignum Vitae locally in Yucatan (called Guyacan here) and have used it for folder scales. I found it surprisingly easy to cut, grind/sand/file and polish......as the naturally occurring waxes in the wood act as a lubricant and keep it cool when working. It looks beautiful. BUT, it does have a tendency to develop cracks, especially when subjected to changes in temperature and humidity. Here's a lock-back with Lignum Vitae. About a year after I sold it, the collector wrote to me that a few cracks had appeared one day. Of course I re-handled it for him. Now, I'm reluctant to use it again for knives that will travel out of Yucatan. Also posted a photo of the wood turners shop in Dztya where I got the wood (theres a small log of Guayacan under the table saw)
Saludos
J



JIJlzfy.jpg
 
There are several Lignum Vitae species. Argentine Lignum Vitae is lovely and works much more easily that the hard and heavy type. It has an interesting herringbone pattern.
 
Lignum Vitae, Canary wood, Olive wood, Cocobolo, Bubinga/Bloodwood, Osage, Padauk, Bocote, and Purple heart are not expensive in small quantities and very nice. Maple, Ash and Walnut and Chery are inexpensive and always available. I also recently worked with some Honduran Rosewood that was fantastic. I really prefer natural woods. They just connect with me.
 
i think curly maple with the aqua fortis finish is really cool and inexpensive.
 
to clarify:

the Guayacan here in Yucatan is Guaiacun sanctum - or Genuine Lignum Vitae. It shows the characteristic end grain pore pattern.

More information on the woods can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaiacum_sanctum

and here: https://www.wood-database.com/how-to-tell-genuine-lignum-vitae-from-argentine-lignum-vitae/

In the below photo, Guillermo's hand is resting on one of two sections of Guayacan. The trunks he cuts are getting smaller and smaller each year. I think it will soon be prohibited to cut them at all.

Saludos
J

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I would expect that Lignum Vitae must be seasoned like any other wood. The stock I purchased was aged with waxed end grain but I am not sure how long it was air dried.
A woodcarver friend seasons applewood by sinking a log in the pond for a year first before air drying. He says it prevents checking in the outer layers as he carves in the round.
 
Thanks for the info JDWare. Yes the Lignum Vitae I have is the Yucatan variety. I purchased it from a local supplier that travels to the source area.
Although I've never had any of my cleats or sheaves check, they are made for wooden boats that live on trailers, so they are not in the water all the time.
I do occasionally give the fittings a wax/oil combo similar to snowproof for leather. But you are right, it has a natural finish.
 
Northshore4270 said:
I would expect that Lignum Vitae must be seasoned like any other wood. The stock I purchased was aged with waxed end grain but I am not sure how long it was air dried.
A woodcarver friend seasons applewood by sinking a log in the pond for a year first before air drying. He says it prevents checking in the outer layers as he carves in the round.
Click to expand...
That's quite a table saw!
 
It's pretty common here for woodworkers to build their own saws. They buy a motor, a mandrel, belt and blade and are in business.

I just picked up these parrell beads today from Guillermo, They're for keeping the yard arm tight to the mast on my wooden, lug-rigged dinghy.

Saludos
J
J8ijTfs.jpg
 
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