Prefered block size for wa handles

[Greenberg Woods]

Hey guys. I will keep this simple so no one jumps on me for supposed sales content, so.

What size blocks do you want for wa handles? I have a billet of wood that i think will be very popular for wa and japanese wa handles in particular, so what size do you want handle blanks?

I have been cutting 1.25 by 1.25 by 5.5 wa blanks, some people say that is too small some say it is too big.

If you make wa handles, what size do you want?

 

[calmse]

Finished size including ferrule is for me at most 32x28x140mm, with the ferrule 1/4 the overall length. So 1.25'' stock is a little shy of the mark, especially when you include initial machining to square....

 

[HSC ///]

1" x 7/8" x 5
or 1" sq x 5"
I can't see the need for more than 1-1/8" sq

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Finished size including ferrule is for me at most 32x28x140mm, with the ferrule 1/4 the overall length. So 1.25'' stock is a little shy of the mark, especially when you include initial machining to square....

My blocks all ship squared and sanded. Would 1.25 still be too small?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I like 1.25 square by 5.0-5.5". With the bolster, that is more than enough. If putting on a butt piece, 4.0-4.5" is good.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

I like 1/25 square by 5.0-5.5". With the bolster, that is more than enough. If putting on a butt piece, 4.0-4.5" is good.

So far i have gotten 1.25, smaller than 1.25 and larger than 1.25. Oh boy.

Anyone else? I want to get as many ideas as possible

 

[Stromberg Knives]

I usually cut mine myself, around 1x1x4 inches. It's plenty with the ferrule. I have my process pretty dialed in so I don't need to remove much material.

But if I were to buy them already cut and squared I'd say 1.25x1.25x5 would be perfect.

 

[DevinT]

1 1/8 x 2 1/2 x 5, I like to be able to cut two out of one block in order to make pairs of knives.

Hoss

 

[jdm61]

The problem with a 2 for one block is that they kind of have to be tall as the good figure is typically on the "wide side." I lenred that the hard way when i had someone cut a block of curly koa into scales. Apparently, unlike very curly maple, koa isn't always curly on all four sides. Even in the case of maple, two sides are usually a bit more curly.

 

[DevinT]

The problem with a 2 for one block is that they kind of have to be tall as the good figure is typically on the "wide side." I lenred that the hard way when i had someone cut a block of curly koa into scales. Apparently, unlike very curly maple, koa isn't always curly on all four sides. Even in the case of maple, two sides are usually a bit more curly.

The wrong guy was cutting your blocks.

Hoss

 

[jdm61]

I was the only way that it would cut to the dimensions that I wanted and the number scales. Live and learn.

The wrong guy was cutting your blocks.

Hoss

 

[DevinT]

I was the only way that it would cut to the dimensions that I wanted and the number scales. Live and learn.

Yeah, sometimes it won’t work.

Hoss

 

[Greenberg Woods]

The problem with a 2 for one block is that they kind of have to be tall as the good figure is typically on the "wide side." I lenred that the hard way when i had someone cut a block of curly koa into scales. Apparently, unlike very curly maple, koa isn't always curly on all four sides. Even in the case of maple, two sides are usually a bit more curly.

That is a formation from complex ring growth. As the wood I am bringing in is a softwood, Im about 75% sure that it shows 4 sided curl.

 

[butcher_block]

I like 1.25 square by 5.0-5.5". With the bolster, that is more than enough. If putting on a butt piece, 4.0-4.5" is good.

i like 2x6x 1.5 i can get 2 mains and 2 bolsterr sections or 2 full length handles with fancy fittings i have a bin full of these cubes for mixing and matching later. and since i have 2x6 to work from i can easy get a chef and pared handle + a thin piece to use as necker or folder scales
i woudl need to get another picture with the smalls and folder bins open

 

[calmse]

My blocks all ship squared and sanded. Would 1.25 still be too small?

In that case, 1.25'' would be fine.