red handle material preferably natural

R

RMgX

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Aug 2, 2005
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Are there any deep red handle materials ( with red I mean like the red spot in the japanese flag ) that come from a natural source.
I have looked at bloodwood but it is not really deep red enough, I was also tempted to try and buy red coral that a bunch of chinese ebayers are selling ( though I think this is dyed ) but my conscience said no and I would also be in trouble if it got stuck in swedish customs ( CITES protected ).
I suppose there is garnet, jasper and some quartz like stones that are a nice red or can be turned very red but these are very hard materials and not really suitable ( I am not sure the red coral would be suitable from a mechaninical property stanpoint either )
Is there a possibility to dye moosebone perhaps or mammoth ivory or tagua nut, although I would preferably go with a material that is red from the beginning.
I could settle for red micarta but would much rather have a natural material so any suggestions are welcome.
 
Might try looking into some bubinga or purpleheart woods. Each has different degrees of colors you are seeking, just depends if you can find the blocks.


Ken Beatty
 
those woods seem quite nice as well, perhaps if I let them soak in a dye and laquer the handle I can get the red I want.
 
try Frank Jacobs at http://www.jakeknife.com
he has great wood that can't be beat and im pretty sure red is a common color for him . try Madrone burl it has a natural reddish color to it .or ask to see if he has any Dyed wood . ive gone with this guy buying wood a couple of times and can tell ya what he throws away is better than what most try to sell as
Premium Grade!! Check him out you got nothing to loose Right ?
 
You might want to try blod wood from Africa I have a coupe of knives I have made out of it it looks great. Here is a picture of one.

pict0061.jpg
 
Mike at WSSI has dyed and stabilized wood in a nice red.The red dyed box elder burl is real nice.
Stacy
 
Some Amboyna Burl is quite red,
naturally.

Russ
 
I believe I saw some red corral at Cullpepers booth at the Blade show. They would probably give you some options...Ed
 
Russ Andrews said:
Some Amboyna Burl is quite red, naturally.
Click to expand...
I'd with Russ. You get great color and figure. When stabilized amboyna burl gets a little darker and richer.

Besides amboyna burl smells good when your grind it. :D
 
Redheart is pretty much red, although not ususally figured enough.
The bloodwood I have is a really dark red, though much of it tends toward brown.
Paduak will eventually turn brown.
I have some tulipwood that is primarily red.
Spalted box elder is red. The color is like that in TicTock's pics. (nice knife, TT)
The red dyed, stabilized maple burl would be my choice, though.
 
I have some cocobolo handled knives that is very red.Undyed.Natural.Was surprised no one mentioned cocobolo.
 
Thanks everyone, getting alot more options than I thought I would.
I guess I ll try getting a few different woods and see which works best, I saw some dyed bone on some website also which might work if I decide I need a even red.
 
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