New wicked strong handle material. Interested?

G

Gunner

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Joined
Jul 15, 1999
Messages
302
Hi all I was talking to my father last evening about making knife handles for a couple of the knives that I have. I suggested getting micarta, but he told me of something better. Its name I cant spell so I will post the name later today. But anyways its a wood that grows so hard and dense that it is not possible for it to be shaped by wood working tools. Steel machinery must be used. The wood, after it is shaped is impervious to moisture, rot, and cracking. If any makers would like to get more info drop me a line. Thanks. Geoff.

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I am the way the truth and the light no man shall come to the father but by me. John 14:6
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You might be thinking of Lignum Vitae, which is a very hard, oily, and dense wood from South America. Olive-green sort of color. Desert Ironwood and African Blackwood are also in the same class for hardness and weather resistance. And for making grinding belts go dull fast!

The "super-woods" above will take more weather and use than "normal" hardwood, but they are not in the same class as synthetic materials like Micarta for surviving abuse. If you want the knife weather-proof, go with the synthetics.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Most woods are measured by there density in comparison to water. Ironwoods are very dense while Balsa is perhaps the leat dense.

True ironwoods include trees and shrubs with dry, seasoned woods that actually sink in water, with specific gravities greater than 1.0. They include lignum vitae (Guaicum officinale, 1.37); quebracho (Schinopsis balansae, 1.28); pau d'arco (Tabebuia serratifolia, 1.20); knob-thorn (Acacia pallens, 1.19); desert ironwood (Olneya tesota, 1.15); and ebony (Diospyros ebenum, 1.12). To appreciate the weight of these hardwoods, compare them with tropical American balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), one of the softest and lightest woods with a specific gravity of only 0.17.

I would be interested in hearing about that wood here on the forums. Especially if it is not listed above.

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Mike Turber
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