New to Blade

J

jasperdog1

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
29
Hello, I'm a beginner on the knife making, about a year, and I got my first set of Burl scales today in the mail off ebay. What I'm wondering is how to, or what to use to fill in the divits and cracks with. From what I understand, most burls of any kind usually have them. So what do you use to fill them in. Does anyone know a site that explains it?

Thanks for any help.

Dave
 
Dave,
Just use superglue to fill in the cracks and voids, and then sand flat. Also make sure your burl scales are stabilized. This is much more important in burl than normal grained wood.
Good luck,
Matt Doyle
 
The description said it was coated with Petacryl to stablize it. Do I shape the wood before I use the super glue. Just reagular super glue? Thanks for the help mdoyle. You make some BEAUTIFUL knives.

Dave
 
Uh oh.... Pentacryl is generally used on green wood, or used as an 'on the cheap' stabilising method. You might want to make sure it's actually dry before you carve into it. Will be a rather unpleasant surprise if you finish those scales and they go boom...
 
Pentacryl is used mainly for turning projects to "stabilize" green wood from cracking too soon ( they actually don't care how much it warps).I think it makes the wood unsuitable for knife handles.The best I could suggest is to dry them real good for six months or so in a warm place (on top of the water heater).Then sand them to expose fresh wood.Buy several tubes of the cheapest super glue you can find (dollar store,3 for $1; or HF ,5 tubes for $.49 when on sale). Put the scales,good side up, on a sheet of waxed paper and coat with super glue.Let dry,and repeat, Do this until the wood is completely shiny and covered with the glue. Turn over and do the other side.Let dry for a week. When dry,sand the excess glue off the scales, wear a good hood and goggles, the super glue dust is one heck of and eye and respiratory irritant.
Stacy
 
Dave,
I think you may wish to follow Stacy's great advice with the scales you have and search out some others that are similar in appearance. You can never have too many! :D Just make sure you buy them from a reputable supplier. The cost is quite minimal when compared to the time invested in one of your inspirations that could "go boom!"
Happy Holidays
Matt Doyle
 
Get them stabilized , no worry about finishing and very practical . Cetain woods are too dense to be able to stabilize...Dave welcome to the forum !!
 
Thanks for all the great help guys. I think I'll let them sit to dry for a few months like you said. The wood does really have alot of depressions in it. Could I run them thru a Planer? I have access to a nice one. The pieces are 6 x 3 x 5/8.
 
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