purpleheart

[Keith Willis]

I came across several pieces of purpleheart, it is 1''x8''x10'.I think i can get one of the boards for nothing,just wondering is this a good wood for knife handles.
Thanks,Keith

 

[Jared Stenoien]

I don't personally care for it but a lot of makers put it to good use :thumbup: I say grab it.

 

[dkulze]

Very hard, very stable. Will darken significantly with age and UV/oxygen exposure. You can make it a relatively stable and brilliant rose/purple color by fuming it with hydrocloric acid once it's shaped.

dietrich

P.S. (not a knife maker but I'm a woodworker and have used purpleheart many times).

 

[sunshadow]

I love it for handles, it has enough resin that I have had no need to stabilize it. Don't breath the dust, and don't get it hot enough to smoke, the resin is slightly toxic to breathe

I typically just finish it with paste wax. If you wait a few days after sanding it to apply finish you will get a rich purple. It will eventually fade to a warm brown with UV and oxygen exposure, I suppose you could stop that by using a UV inhibiting varnish.


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