osage orange handle?

S

sashcord

Joined
Nov 10, 1999
Messages
69
Has anyone used this for handles? I have
some that has cured for several years, makes
a good hunting bow.
Thanks
Steve
 
Osage Orange or Bois DeArc wood is a very traditional handle material for knives and such down here in Tejas. It's one of the hardest native woods in the US and is relatively dimensionaly stable if well dried. For absolute stability, have it stabilized, but it works (and looks)pretty good as is.

James

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I love my country! I just don't trust my government!
 
Go for it. I think Osage Orange looks really nice. I've been wondering what a nice burl would look like with a couple coats of finish and buffed up. If you haven't worked with it before, your going to be surprised how hard the stuff is
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Sashcord, that is great handle wood, Ive had good results using Formby's oil on it.I usually heat the oil in the microwave before application, makes it go deeper into the wood when its warmed.After coatings are dry I usually buff with a loose muslin buff that I use only for oil finishes with no compound.

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Jake Evans.. Member of the HORDE
 
Ive seen a knife that Bagwell made with Osage Orange for handle material, looked nice.

I recently used some Mesquite on a knife i sent to Bladeforums for the 9" test, it looked much better finished (it was hairy butt ugly when i started!).



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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson

 
thanks guys. I have a good supply of
bois'darc(osage orange) and mesquite.
Looks like I will be using it on my
first flat gring bowie. If it turns
out I will try to post pics. This forum
is great I can't tell you how helpful it]
has been.

Steve
 
Around here its called Hedge Apple, I use it and like it. After sanding i coat it with Watco Danish finish (Natural). After drying i put Watco's Satin wax, after it drys i then polish it with a lamb skin rag.I Met a maker name Larry Page who use it and put's a type of acid on it. This really brings the grain out. But don't remember what it's called.

[This message has been edited by RDF (edited 23 December 1999).]
 
When you cut the bois'd arc for your handle material. Make sure that the grain lays flat with the handle and the smaller limbs have a tighter or closer grain. I like using the smaller pcs. on small knives and the grain will stand out a little better. If you scorch it with a torch, it brings out the grain graphically. Just make sure it is dry when you put in on and soak it in some kind of oil to preserve it. It will turn brown in time when exposed to sunlight.
Ray Kirk www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
:
All you guys be careful with the Osage Orange.
If you saw or sand it with power tools the dust can be a lot like he Cocabolo(sp)
I know a guy who saws and sands it and he always wears a mask.

I know Ray knows this or at least he should,huh Ray?
Ray Kirk is almost a neighbor of mine and makes some beautiful Knives!!.
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Of course us indins don't seem to be bothered with it among other things like drilling Mescal Beans for dance bandoliers.
smile.gif


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
Oops.I hit the rong button.At least I know what that one does now.
smile.gif


PS The center of Osage Orange is pith so you maight want to be aware of that if you are cutting slabs and don't have the grain exactly flat.

[/b][/QUOTE]

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ




[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 23 December 1999).]
 
I just made a knife handled with the "hedge" wood it was for a Bow hunter, finished it with superglue, to stay yellow. Thw stuff makes great hammer handles too.
 
I've had a bit of experience also with Bois Darc. Just finished a fixed blade for my grandad. I have used both superglue and a mixture of boiled linseed oil, mineral spirits and bees wax (I got the bees wax idea from Darrel Ralph; Thanks Darrel!). Both types of finishes are great...just depends whether you want a more gloss or matte finish on the handle. I understand that the bees wax slows or even halts the oxidation process. Thus, the handle will not darken as fast with age. The linseed oil mixture darkens the finish just a bit, but still very nice looking. The only problem that I have experienced is when I polish the neighboring bolster. The rouge compound I use to polish the bolster/guard will leave an awful looking black mess on the wood so I usually mask the wood with masking tape and then get after the bolster/guard. Perhaps this is true with other woods as well, but it seems especially troublesome with Boid Darc. Anyway, it turns out great in the end with care. Any black mess from the polishing compound appears to be easily removed using common alcohol.

Cheers,

>> DeWayne <<
 
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