Sourcing wood for custom BKT scales?

[JWL]

There is a hardwood mill within a couple miles of my house. I was thinking of taking the grivory scales off one of my knives (BK9 most likely) and taking it there, to see what scraps they have that I could make my own scales from.

Does anyone have any wood type recommendations? I'm just thinking hardwoods, the harder the better, but I've heard that some woods are actually acidic and can corrode the metal over time. I'm sure they'd have a good selection of oak, maple, probably ash, and possibly more exotic stuff like cherry or walnut as well.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Well, for what it's worth, my favorites are cocobolo and bocote. But if you can find any maple with a nice grain pattern, burl and such, that looks very good, especially stabilized and died.

 

[MikeyJ]

Cocobolo, Ipe, Osage, Box Elder Burl are the woods I like the most. Granted, I don't make my own scales, but those are woods that I have had on knives and they're all tough as well as good looking!

 

[tradewater]

Woodcraft has a good selection of exotic woods that can be bought as "turning blocks". If you have one in the area they have a scap bin too.

 

[C_Tanner]

You check knifekits.com? Pretty sure they have all that for handle material.

 

[JWL]

Thanks for the links. I'm a big fan of buying locally where possible -- if I am consuming resources from my own local ecosystem, I can more readily be responsible for it. That's why I want to try the local mill....

The next question is once I get some local wood, is there a way I should be processing it? Does it need to age or dry?

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Research the wood and find out if it needs stabilizing. Then read up a bit on that. It also kinda depends on what quality level you're looking for, and how high of a finish you're planning on taking it to. I usually finish mine to at least 2500 grit, usually higher, so I need the stabilized wood if I can get it.

 

[Hawk590]

Well, for what it's worth, my favorites are cocobolo and bocote. But if you can find any maple with a nice grain pattern, burl and such, that looks very good, especially stabilized and died.

+1 on the cocobolo That is what I am working on right now.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Just be aware if you do get cocobolo that it's toxic.

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

There's other results. But it's dangerous stuff.

 

[JWL]

Not sure there are any cocobolo trees growing near here.....

 

[daizee]

yeah, wood often needs to dry for a year. or two.
are you in a rush?
oak can produce some nice figure. Look for quartersawn pieces where the grain spreads rapidly (look at the ends). Maple too, of course.