Osage

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 19, 2005
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Are there any dealers out there that specialize in Osage? I'm tired of buying it in tiny pieces, and want to find something substantial.
 
Just how big do you want? As far as I know it doesn't get very big. I have a few pieces big around as a coffee can but not much.
 
I've got whole trees at my parents place, but #1 I'm not sure how to process it, and #2 I doubt my dad would let any of it go.
 
Andy, Phillip had some for sale earlier last week in the knifemaking supplies for sale section. Might be some available still but not sure on the sizes you're looking for.
 
Andy,

There are several sellers on ebay that sell it by the board for furniture/hobby woodworkers. That might be your best option since you have the equipment to cut it down to what you need. Shipping may be an issue, however.

I don't know how prevalent osage/hedge apple is in the south. Here in Ohio you don't see it much any more, and when you do, they're in old fencerows. There's tons of it in Iowa/Kansas that was planted after the 1930's dust bowl.

I know where there were some chunks (firewood cut last spring), but I don't know if it's still there. And shipping wouldn't be cheap. I saved a couple of pieces that are drying in my shed.

Nathan
 
You might try some of the bowyer supply companies. I know that osage is a favorite. I got a good chunk from a bowyer who coudn't use the piece because of a knot in the wrong place.
Del
 
Do you want it for handles or larger pieces for bows and such?
I have some from Bill Moran that I cut into handle blocks. Some I had stabilized by WSSI and others I left plain.
Stacy
 
Rusty, osage may not be known as a large tree but I have seen one that is 6 feet across the base, and branches that are 2 feet in diameter. Not usual, but they can get big.
One near my hunting property has a trunk about a foot in diameter.
Dan
 
oconeedan said:
Rusty, osage may not be known as a large tree but I have seen one that is 6 feet across the base, and branches that are 2 feet in diameter. Not usual, but they can get big.
One near my hunting property has a trunk about a foot in diameter.
Dan
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Good to see you here Dan.
I've got one where I hunt here in Illinois that is minimum 6 feet in diameter. The largest one I have ever seen.
I have logs of it out in my barn.
Burn it to heat my shop.
 
bladsmth said:
Do you want it for handles or larger pieces for bows and such?
I have some from Bill Moran that I cut into handle blocks. Some I had stabilized by WSSI and others I left plain.
Stacy
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Man, thanks guys. I need it for handle materials. I'd rather get it larger so that I can cut it myself.

Firewood. Whoa. I wish.
 
Fiddleback said:
Man, thanks guys. I need it for handle materials. I'd rather get it larger so that I can cut it myself.

Firewood. Whoa. I wish.
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I'll be back at that site next week or the week after. I'll have to see if that osage firewood is still sitting around. . . it was left by a utility crew that was clearing the brush to put in some new utility poles.
 
NStricker said:
I'll be back at that site next week or the week after. I'll have to see if that osage firewood is still sitting around. . . it was left by a utility crew that was clearing the brush to put in some new utility poles.
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I really appreciate it. I'll pay shipping, of course.
 
Wow, I didn't know osage was so special. There are probably 100+ trees within a 5 mile radius of my house that are 2 foot diameter or better.

It is still widely used for fence posts around here and the local cattle barn sells fresh cut posts every week end.

Brian
 
We have a lot of osage- it really needs to be thinned some. Do you want it for knife handles because it is so hard? I have always liked the color of the wood and wonder why it is not more widely used. Don't you need it dried? I know it has a reputation of getting even harder as it ages.
 
BrianThie said:
Wow, I didn't know osage was so special. There are probably 100+ trees within a 5 mile radius of my house that are 2 foot diameter or better.

It is still widely used for fence posts around here and the local cattle barn sells fresh cut posts every week end.

Brian
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I think that good osage looks really nice

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss107/Nathan_the_Machinist/022709/1.jpg

I've run it throught the dishwasher without problem. It is naturaly very hard and stable, plus is mills well. So you get a good durable handle that is nice and grippy compaired to plastic stablized wood, and I've never had one crack or move much on a finished knife. I love the stuff on a working knife.
 
It probably hasn't been super popular like some of the exotic woods because fresh cut osage is such a bright yellow. I think now that customers are accepting/requesting of some of the brighter phenolic laminates like G10, it's drawing more attention.

The older the wood, the better the color in my opinion.

The handle on this one had a previous life as a Kansas fencepost:

DSCN0804.jpg
 
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