Osage pair

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
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Not very good light out today. Notice the hatchet which is 3 is a lot golder cause it's older. The sheath knife is only 1yr.
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With the covers on
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Normally never use this unless backpacking but since I had it out I thought I'd chop up this oak log somebody dragged to the fire ring last time we had a party.
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HD, that's a beaut of a Nessie. Must be nice having someone like Charley over the hill:) from you. Sounds like a nice place to hang out:D
 
Beautiful set! I really like the color of the osage on the axe. Was it really yellow when you first got it? I always thought osage was real yellow but if that is what it turns into, I really like it.
 
you gotta love osage....:thumbup: today i was looking to see, how my longbow has darkened up a bit....
 
Ok HD- You have GOT to let me come over and play with your toys. :D

About Osage- I have seen knives in Osage that somehow kept that bright, almost lemony yellow color, with virtually no patina. Is that because the handles were very fresh? I've cut Osage myself, and when its green, I've seen a more "golden" yellow, and the seasoned stuff -when fresh cut- is more like what I described above. I do not favor the brighter color, but I am curious how it might be preserved, or at least how the patination can be slowed down. Is it just a really good sealer?

I looked up your Mr. Bradley, and I found a local news clip of a short feature on him. AWESOME! Great blend of fancy/rustic knives shown in the clip, and he really seems like a great guy- humble and articulate. I'm guessing he doesn't go to the craft or outdoor expos in Charleston, because all the local knife "talent" I've seen there is a bit sub-par. I know there are some good makers around, but they must not bother with those venues. A buddy of mine is a friend of Herb Derr, and I'm hoping to parlay an introduction.

Back to Osage- do you find your own? There were a few trees on the seven acres I lived on back in KY, but I haven't noticed any on the in-laws property (around 100 acres) here. I haven't explored it all yet, so there might be some somewhere. :cool:
 
Osage is awesome. On a carbon steel blade, the two age nicely together. Age adds complete character for the entire knife.
Scott
 
Thats a sweet pair HD. I really like how that hatchet has aged. Neato.
 
I think it would be safe to say that I have worked with literally tons of Osage Orange (Maclura Pomifera) over the years, building primarily laminated and self bows with the wood. Osage is VERY photosensitive. The darkening of Osage will continue indefinitely when exposed to sunlight, or even fluorescent lighting...such as in my shop. I have pieces of Osage in the shop that have been in there several months without being moved. The side towards the light is very dark brown, while the the side that is down, away from any light, is still very bright orange. I have seen old wagon wheel spokes, tool handles, knife handles, mallets, bows, etc., all made of Osage, that were a real deep purplish-black in color. The color of the Osage does not in any way effect the integrity of the wood. Good Osage is saturated with its own natural oil (try steaming a piece for bending), thus the wood is almost maintenance free. I am not aware of any finish that will prevent Osage from turning dark.
 
That osage on the handle was almost neon yellow when I bought it. I have linseeded it but line Dannyboy said it is just when it ages it gets darker.

Machete,

Charley is a super friendly guy and I regret I haven't hung out more at his shop. He sets up every year at the Pumpkin Festival in Milton where they have a reenactor type camp and sells stuff. That's where I first met him.

Here's some pics of his festival forge and some of his stuff.

Cable damascus hatchet
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Rasp Bowie
hollowdweller


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Some of his other stuff

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Fire ring with swivel grate
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The portable forge
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HD- so are you saying I am not apt to find any? :(

I now it likes edges, and the property here is pretty much all woods. Well, woods and rocks. ;)
 
MacHete said:
HD- so are you saying I am not apt to find any? :(

I now it likes edges, and the property here is pretty much all woods. Well, woods and rocks. ;)
Click to expand...

Probably not. I mean you MIGHT, but Osage is not native and the only osage I have ever seen growing is at Chief Cornstalk in Mason Co and there's a few growing on West Washington Street in Charleston. I'm sure it's in other places too but probably not in any great quantity.
 
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