Recommend me some wood for a handle...

R

rockhouse

Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
40
So i bought a Ka-Bar JAB 'bacon maker' for hog hunting. I was not a fan of it's handle or tang at all. I took the scales of and ground off the little protrusion that was on the tang. Now that the tang is different, the old scales are obsolete...but i didn't like the scales anyway.
Now i wanna try and make my own out of wood. What kind of wood do yall recommend for all-around outside durability? And what tools would i need to carve the new handles? And would i need to oil or treat the wood at all?

Any info is appreciated....thanks.
 
There are just too many great woods out there to pick just one. A lot of it will come down to what you like and what's available to you.

You'll need a saw to cut out the slabs and a drill for the pin holes. Shaping can be done with files/rasps, and sandpaper. You'll need lots of sandpaper. I like simple oil treatments on my handles.
 
Over in the Makers forum there is a tool and supply sub forum.Burl Source has lots of scales for sale.Also check Cook Woods.
 
Amboyna Burl,Snakewood,Desert Ironwood,Maple Burl,African Ebony are a few of my favs.Go with polymer stabilized for anything but the hardest woods.Feebay will give you lots of thing to look at to see what you like.
 
For outside durability, I'd go for Ipe, Mesquite or Osage Orange.

Ipe can be found dirt cheap as decking cutoffs (your town probably has a bunch of deck suppliers that might give you some pieces for free.

Mesquite and Osage are both stable and tough stuff. Check with a hardwood dealer to see if they have any in stock.

There are lots of other tough exotic woods out there, but these three should last for a long, long time.
 
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