Question on stabilized walnut

quint

quint

Joined
Nov 29, 2011
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Ok I know the difference in stabilized and non stabilized and the various benefits. The question I have is more of looks. I have some nice claro walnut that I picked up, it has some very nice fiddle and some darker and lighter transitions in color. With a linseed or tru oil finish it darkens but it still has very distinct separation in the patterns. I usually stabilize wood that needs it just for the added security if anything (and because everyone that buys a knife seems to think its a requirement kind of).

The thing is every knife I have scene finished with stabilized walnut always looks really dark. The nice patterns and what not are there it just seems almost subdued and way darker then just a oil finish. Is this from the stabilization or from the wood before it was stabilized?

What are your guys thoughts on this, would you rather loose some of the shade variations and have it stabilized or leave it natural and I am assuming bring out more of the natural highlights. I am going off assumptions here as I have not had any of it stabilized yet.

Guess I could get a test block done to see how it goes but kind of want some of your opinions, no sense in wasting a block and money to get something I dont particularly like.

Thanks.
 
At one time I used a lot of walnut on fixed blade knives. Stabalizing wasn't an option at that time. I never heard of or saw one knife returned because of scale problems. Frank
 
I use Walnut unstabalized a lot also. Never fixed one. I've never had trouble using stabalized walnut though. The curl wasn't darkened out.
 
Fiddleback said:
Never fixed one. I've never had trouble using stabilized walnut though. The curl wasn't darkened out.
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Same here. I know what you guys mean about it being darker, but it's not a deal-breaker. I don't have any problem using stabilized walnut if the client requests it.

Left to my own devices though, I prefer it natural. Even the highly-figured stuff is very stable and strong, and nothing else has the nice warm feel that oiled natural handles do. :)
 
jsut got back a bunch i sent to K&G whiel its a hair darke its still nice and contrasty
if you then finish with CA or jsut light buffing it keeps the same look if you want a bit darker you can put tung oil or the like and it will darken a bit
its lovely stuff
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Thanks for the input guys, Butch that helps a lot. I think ill get a portion stabilized and try it out. Keep the rest natural.
 
I have used walnut with the same positive results. It is used allot in gun stocks especially older ones because it is strong and stable
 
I love walnut myself. Feathered crotch patterns have to be my favorite, along with fiddleback. I just love it, and will be using it as handle material for some time to come. (I'm fairly new to this craft, and I give my knives away). I wondered this very same question (should I be stabilizing it). Number one, for me, since I've been giving them away as gifts to friends...I'm not too worried about it. Number two, it is a fairly dense hardwood, and should'nt have much problem (especially if you use TruOil....that stuff acts like a sealant of sorts). Number three, however, has me concerned. My grandfather made a few knives back in the day. He used walnut as well (non-stabilized). Those 50 year old knives that he made....the wooden handles have cracked and are in serious need of replacement. I hesitate to replace them, tho.....'cause my Grandaddy made them. So I guess I said all of that just to say this.....50 years from now, if not kept properly oiled, non-stabilized walnut is going to dry up and crack, and fall apart, etc. I know.....50 years is a long ways off, but if you're selling your knives, I probably (speaking for myself) would stablize the walnut. I've also been tossing around the idea that adding a liner might help as well. A synthetic layer between the steel tang and the walnut handle scale might not be a bad idea.
 
Dry walnut works best, if your grandaddy used green wood it will move and crack/check as it dries. One of my favorite fixed blades is unstabilized walnut and I love how the wood ages with time and handling.


-X
 
btw for me its mearly about covering my rear
like stated i have heard of no problems with walnut

i only get it stabilized cause i make mostly kitchen knives and razors both get wet and some times forgot about so i want ever advantage i can get
 
Is CA glue an option on unstabilized walnut? I have been using tru-oil and it darkens it a lot. Is there a finish for natural walnut that will lessen the darkening?
 
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