Questions about handle material

B

bigox

Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
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I am planning to have a semi custom fixed blade made. I am thinking about using Black Ash Burl, Amboynia Burl or Desert Ironwood Burl. I also found some Pomelle Bubinga that looks interesting. I have never seen any of these in person or know much about them. I am looking for a durable handle that has a lot of depth and grain to it. Would any of you have any suggestions or comments? From what I understand Black Ash can be stabilized but Desert Ironwood can't and doesn't need to be?? Can Amboynia be stabilized? Can anyone give me any good sites to buy the wood? I am particularly interested in one that I can see a picture of the actual block before I buy it if such a site exists. Thank you in advance for your replies!
 
My vote would go to desert ironwood......tough, doesn't need any special finish, and beautiful grain with depth.....Good luck with your new knife!!!
 
I would agree with the ironwood, tough, dense, dosen't need stabilizing it is nearly sealed as is. it polishes so well that it seems that you can look into the wood.
the other burls, I would suggest stabilizing, it may not be necessary but it will strengthen them, and keep them from splitting if there is a weak spot in the grain
 
I would look and select a particular set of scale that really catch your eye. Alot of the burls look alike and as long as they are stabilized, I think what is more important is that you pick a set that you like. Ebay is a good place to see the exact scale that you are buying.
 
Gonna have to agree on the ironwood....heres scales I bought from arizona ironwood..these were X-grade....dont come up often:

3.jpg

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Thank you very much for the replies. I found www.alphaknifesupply.com and http://www.arizonaironwood.com/page1.html very helpful! TickTock that is a sweet looking knife. I have narrowed it down to Black Ash Burl or Desert Ironwood Burl. I just have one question about arizonaironwood.com. All the desert ironwood I have seen is redish brown and black but all of the pictures on that site look more like yellow and black. Is that just from the way they scan or photograph them or are they really yellow?
 
Every bit of ironwood ive seen other tha some rare gold burl was the color above...i think its just how its photographed....direct on a flatbed scanner shortly after cutting and polish of the scales. Ironwood tends to darken a bit after finish.
 
One of the best woods that I like is plain ole Stripped Maple. I dye it with Fiebings dye and make it look like walnut or Mahogany anyway. I put a finish on it with Cyanoacrylate Thin glue a few coats of that will make it look like the finishish is an inch deep and as you twist it in your hands back and forth you will see the grain move. Works great and is very hard finish.
 
here's a few pictures of different handle materials, all professionally stabilized.

Buckeye burl, double dyed box elder,black ash burl. Maybe this will help you figure out what handle material you want. Good luck.

Bill
 
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