Stabilized Burl Evaluation for Folder Makers

Burl Source

Burl Source

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Dec 7, 2008
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Over the months I have been working on the stabilizing process for the burl and spalted woods I sell. When I first started stabilizing wood I sent out a bunch to about 50 makers who agreed to try it out and then post photos and comments. You can see some of the photos in this thread.

It seems I had some misconceptions as to what knifemakers wanted with the wood they use. Several gave candid advice that helped me to change the process as well as dimensions to be able to better provide what the fixed blade makers wanted with stabilized woods.

Now I would like to go a step further. I have a lot of wood that is smaller pieces with super figure and colors I will be stabilizing in the coming weeks with the folder makers in mind.

If you would like to try out some of this wood on one of your folders I will be happy to send some for you to evaluate. There will be no cost to you for the wood but I will need you to pay the $5 cost for priority mail. If I remember correctly outside of the US costs $10 for a flat rate envelope.

What I ask in return is:
1. Use the wood on one of your folders within the next couple months.
2. After the knife is complete, post a photo and your comments on a thread we will start just for the folders made from this wood.

If you would like to help with this evaluation please post in this thread that you will be willing to take part along with the minimum dimensions you use for your knives. These pieces will be cut into scales so be sure to include minimum thickness. I will try to make sure the scales are a bit oversized so you can position the grain for the look you like best.

The wood I will be using will be a mix of some really nice stuff. I will have to limit this to about 3 or 4 dozen of you guys so don't wait.

Thanks, Mark
 
Mark ,

I would like to take you up on your offer. 1/8"X1 1/2" X 3 1/2" would work for my folders. The tighter the figure the better on such small pieces.

Thanks,
Joe
 
Rusty and Joe,
Thanks for taking part in this. I will pick out some killer stuff for you. If you have any friends ....... who make folders. Feel free to tell them about this. I start stabilizing tomorrow.
Thanks, Mark
 
I would love to try some if it's ok that i am still fairly new!

1/8"X 1-1/2" X 3-1/2" will work for what i have planned on my next folder
 
I have my first folder sitting on the bench jig right now waiting for liners and scales. I'd be up for it!

1/8" x 1 1/2" x 4" would be a hair oversized so anything around there would work.
 
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I would also be interested in trying some. I have tried with limited success to stabilize my own. Hopefully this is the answer. 1/8" x 1 x 4 would be great.
 
i can say first hand that the wood is good and seemed really stable
with a hair more mass that the changes are to bring it sounds liek a real winnner

i how ever will not be that gready and ask for a 2nd block to try ( will however be buying some shortly)
 
Thanks for the kind words Butch. The way I stabilize the wood now addresses the issue of light weight. The buckeye is about twice as heavy as before. I think I have worked out the bugs. If I have enough, what dimensions do you use for your folders?
 
I am trying to get started on three folders, got most of the parts on the bench. I could use some 1/8"x1 1/4"x 3 1/2
 
I am stabilizing the wood for the evaluation right now. If you want to try it out post the dimensions you need in this thread.
 
I just wanted to say that i really respect a businessman who tries to better their product (at the cost of themselves). I will be looking to you the next time I need to buy wood.
 
Here are some maple pieces I just finished stabilizing.
Do these have good enough figure for folder scales? ...or should I look for more bizarre stuff? If there are any you think would be good, or not so good, please post your comments. Next batch will be some redwood burl. When they are done I will post some photos of them for your comments. These blocks are about 1&3/4" wide for reference.

Thanks for your help. This is how I learn what you guys like.

maple001.jpg
 
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I like darker colors so 1, 3 and 5 appeal to me the most. I really like 5!
 
TekSec said:
I like darker colors so 1, 3 and 5 appeal to me the most. I really like 5!
Click to expand...

Seems like most folders I have seen have dark colored handles. Is there a reason? or just coincidence?

This is why I am asking you guys. I would have thought #4 would have been a favorite. To me it looks almost like golden pearl. Shows what I know. Never said I was the brightest light on the tree.
 
IMO folders will be handled more so the darker colors won't show the collected oils and grime as badly. More than likely just a coincidence though :D #4 is nice but honestly unless you're going to use the full width (not sure what size they are since there's no scale) you'd loose a lot of the chatoyancy I would think. Like I said, just my opinion but they all look really great!
 
Burl Source said:
Seems like most folders I have seen have dark colored handles. Is there a reason? or just coincidence?

This is why I am asking you guys. I would have thought #4 would have been a favorite. To me it looks almost like golden pearl. Shows what I know. Never said I was the brightest light on the tree.
Click to expand...


#4 would make a beautiful hunting knife for a large folder of fixed blade.

I am really liking 1 and 2 for a small folder!

MG
 
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