Ring gidgee

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,353
Guys,

There seems to be a craze for ringed gidgee recently. I must say that I don't understand one. Oh, it's rather pretty, sure, but honestly I don't think it compares to ironwood burl, or even fine walnut. So what's the craze all about?

JD
 
Joss, basically it has the great look of curly maple, while being almost as dense and stabil as ironwood.
 
Just something different... I suppose. Quality timber is one thing. Fashion is another matter altogether. It also helps that Ringed Gidgee is pretty dense, tough stuff and performs very well on knives all while looking good as well. Maybe its also the increased publicity of / by Aussie makers in recent years. I think Curly Maple is nice stuff as is a lot of different woods. Jason.
 
I have seen Ringed Gidgee that is as nice as any wood. Anyway, my favorite is African Blackwood and that doesn't show much pattern at all.
 
Joss,
I wouldn't necessarily call it a craze but it for one is one of the most consistantly attractive woods around - it has been my favorite for many years. It is incredibly dense - actually more than Ironwood - and is in the same category as Lignum Vitae - it doesn't need stabilization and is extremely durable - makes fantastic handle for a working knife cause wood is so hard - will hold up to hard use without worrying about damage. From a maker's point of view (based on feedback from such as Fogg, Newton, Primos et. al.) it is easy to grind, smells good, doesn't cause allergic/toxic reactions and finishes up easily with oil/polish, plus doesn't need stabilization. Also it doesn't seem to have many holes/occlusions needing filling so less work with finishing off.

Regarding looks it is a dark wood with mostly nice grain or rings though when you get a burl as in my Fogg Bowie it can be spectacular - it finishes with a deep rich look with a transparency that you can't see in the pictures - it appears you can see into the wood - a 3-d impression that can only see close-up.

For many years was very rare but Steve Filicietti has been making it available recently so you are seeing it more now - and it is something different from usual more common woods so makers want to try it. It is a wood best appreciated from handling and seeing up close.

Bill
 

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I think it makes a great handle choice for a big bowie - the density of the wood helps counter-balance the weight of a big blade. Plus it looks good.

Roger
 
Very nice looking wood. Im a big fan of ironwood if I cant use ivory. Could you provide a link to an outlet for the gidgee? Thanks
 
I read that ringed gidgee is the same species as koa. They do look very similar.
 
Bruce,
E-mail me & we'll see if we can get you hooked up - there isn't a link or working e-mail at this time - include your phone # and I'll give you a call after Thanksgiving.

Happy Turkey Day!
Bill
 
Koa and Gidgee are both members of the acacia species. Other acacia species are also found, I believe onmost continents. Hence the similarities. Koa comes mainly from Hawaii, Gidgee from Australia. I'm unsure why there is no "marketting" of Koa but some awesome knives have been made with this wood in years past. Jason.
 
Very nice stuff indeed.., and I do think it's very consistent (at least from what I've seen thus far)..., thanks for the pictures guys... :)
 
Originally posted by penguinva
Joss,
I wouldn't necessarily call it a craze but it for one is one of the most consistantly attractive woods around - it has been my favorite for many years. It is incredibly dense - actually more than Ironwood - and is in the same category as Lignum Vitae - it doesn't need stabilization and is extremely durable - makes fantastic handle for a working knife cause wood is so hard -


Bill
Click to expand...

I agree and I have a link to a pic of a knife I own with lignum vitae. No stabilization needed and great looks. http://members2.clubphoto.com/ken162884/17163/guest.phtml and click the sevey knife pic.
 
G'day.I'm new to this type of stuff(forums) so I'm just gonna hope this works! I cut Broken Hill Gidgee 'acacia loderi' for a living. You have described it perfectly. It's too bad no one looks for it on knives more often. Most of my timber goes to luthiers pen turners and bowl turners and one bloke uses it on his custom fishing rods for the reel seat. Regards Bruce
 
I have a couple of knives from Jason cutter.Both ringed gidee.Both beautiful forged blades.
Hope he gets back in the loop.Great maker.
Randy

Ps,bushworker,welcome to the forums.keep up the good work with the gidee.
 
I forget where, either Blade or Knives Illustrated, this year there was an article about a trip a guy took Outback to get himself some Ringed Gidgee. It's not so much the outstanding beauty of it, but the availability is what makes it highly sought.
In this case I guess we could say, yes, it DOES grown on trees, but is rather difficult to locate, and in the article, actually took the guy DAYS! to travel into inhospitable locations and when he found it, there wasn't much!
 
kbaknife said:
I forget where, either Blade or Knives Illustrated, this year there was an article about a trip a guy took Outback to get himself some Ringed Gidgee. It's not so much the outstanding beauty of it, but the availability is what makes it highly sought.
In this case I guess we could say, yes, it DOES grown on trees, but is rather difficult to locate, and in the article, actually took the guy DAYS! to travel into inhospitable locations and when he found it, there wasn't much!
Click to expand...

IIRC, that was Shawn MacIntyre?!?!
Got three of his and one in 'Gidgee...

Jason Cutter - glad to see you're still around, and healthy we hope?

Bushworker - welcome to BF! And maybe, given the interest here, you can help these guys find some good stuff for handles?!?! :D
 
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