Osage Orange?

ms3902

ms3902

Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,138
Just wondering if you have ever used osage orange on any of your knives or fire steels. Just had to ask since it is by far one of my favs.:thumbup:
 
C Bryant said:
I'm actually thinking about having my kephart done in Osage.
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Now that would be a great combination.:thumbup: I love the way that stuff looks and I have a ton of it on my property. I pulled about a 10' dead standing piece out of the ground this weekend.:D
 
Do you know what would have to be done to in order to use it after it is cut down? I have a lot of dead standing osage trees that I would cut down and use/giveaway I just don't know what to do with it after it is cut up. :confused:

It has become somewhat of a nuance on the heavily wooded areas of the property. It tends to kill of all the other trees around it. Plus it drops those green grapefruit looking things all over the place.:thumbdn:
 
ms3902 said:
Do you know what would have to be done to in order to use it after it is cut down? I have a lot of dead standing osage trees that I would cut down and use/giveaway I just don't know what to do with it after it is cut up. :confused:

It has become somewhat of a nuance on the heavily wooded areas of the property. It tends to kill of all the other trees around it. Plus it drops those green grapefruit looking things all over the place.:thumbdn:
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I think it's generally stabilized prior to using.
What size trees are they? Anything small enough diameter and fairly straight enough for hiking sticks? Say 2" diameter around 6' long?




Dave
 
MidwestDave said:
I think it's generally stabilized prior to using.
What size trees are they? Anything small enough diameter and fairly straight enough for hiking sticks? Say 2" diameter around 6' long?




Dave
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They range anywhere between about 4" dia. up to about 18" dia.. There are a few that are closer to about 24". I have a piece now that is about 10' long and 4" in dia. that I plan on making a hiking stick out of.
 
MidwestDave said:
4" Diameter or circumference?
I'd be happy to take some off your hands and make it worth your while.





Dave
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I wouldn't mind a piece or two. Maybe fill up a postal service flat rate box. A walking stick sized piece would be sweet too, but I have a feeling that would not be cheap to ship.
 
If it is not raining when I get home I will go out back and see what I can find.
 
Cheap is relative. I love making my own hiking staffs and don't have access to Osage.
I would gladly pay for shipping plus.



dave
 
Hi Guys-

Man - that stuff is hard on saws - that is what we call hedge trees around here. Many farmers put that along fence lines etc.

That stuff is so hard it will dull a chainsaw right now.

It is a cool orange color, never thought about it as a "beauty" wood, but it surely would be as tough as nails.

best regards -

mqqn
 
ms3902 said:
Do you know what would have to be done to in order to use it after it is cut down? I have a lot of dead standing osage trees that I would cut down and use/giveaway I just don't know what to do with it after it is cut up. :confused:

It has become somewhat of a nuance on the heavily wooded areas of the property. It tends to kill of all the other trees around it. Plus it drops those green grapefruit looking things all over the place.:thumbdn:
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Love the wood, hate the tree. Mainly because it has tough thorns on it and the fruit is a nuisance also. I don't know if any animals eat the fruit or not.
 
Does this wood have to be stablilized before use as knife scales? I seem to remember reading that it doesn't. Anybody got the lowdown?? I have a piece that's been aging for around 5 years and have been toying with the idea of making a set of scales for my Spyderco mule.
 
Harry Callahan said:
Does this wood have to be stablilized before use as knife scales? I seem to remember reading that it doesn't. Anybody got the lowdown?? I have a piece that's been aging for around 5 years and have been toying with the idea of making a set of scales for my Spyderco mule.
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You can.. I have a small stabilized piece, but it is good to go as is. I think they look better natural anyway. The wood ages really nicely, gets darker.

My brand new Kephart with American Osage :)
PB290002.jpg
 
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mqqn said:
Hi Guys-

Man - that stuff is hard on saws - that is what we call hedge trees around here. Many farmers put that along fence lines etc.

That stuff is so hard it will dull a chainsaw right now.

It is a cool orange color, never thought about it as a "beauty" wood, but it surely would be as tough as nails.

best regards -

mqqn
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You are right about being hard on chain saw blades. Years ago when we still had severl hundred acres of pasture we used to cut this stuff down to use as fence post. The bigger ones used as corner post were just brutal on chainsaws.

Midwest Dave and CBryant I have not forgot about you guys I just have not been able to get back into the timber for about a month now because of all the rain. My property has a creek running right along my fence and then it is a vertical climb for about 100'. Needless to say the creek is still way up and the bank just a big muddy mess.:thumbdn:
 
Sounds like you have a beautiful place. I'm jealous.
BTW, if it was easy to get then everybody would have some. :)



Dave
 
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