Stabilized Desert Ironwood?

tito

tito

Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
670
Does anyone know of a source? What about a good source for wood stabilization period, say if you have the slabs for a handle?

I know it's dense - is it worth the additional expense? The knife will live in the humid environment of deep East TX.

thanks
 
Knife and Gun Finishing supplies is a place a lot of makers use or have used including myself.

They do a great job

Ironwood is one of those I thought didn't need stabalized though. I am not sure I've seen it stabalized but perhaps it was and I am thinking of something else.

Jantz and K&GF sell some nice wood as does Exotic Wood Group.

STR
 
No, I've never seen it for sale already stabilized, either. Wanted to make sure, though, and get some better opinions. Thanks. BTW, is that one of those Swiss vehicles in your avatar? I forget the name. Do you own one?
 
Yep. That is my Pinzgauer. An X Swiss Army truck I bought five or more years ago. One of the most reliable vehicles I've ever had.

STR
 
Tito, There is no reason to stablilize ironwood and according to Ken at K&G it is not possible because it is so dense. I use a lot of ironwood and have never had any of it crack, or have any significant shrinkage. It is very dense, has natural oil, and is really stablized by nature already for knife handles. Bonding can be a problem so be sure to rough up the scales with 120 grit, and either sand blast or put some texture into the steel tang so there is some 'tooth" to bond to. Hope this helps. PHIL
 
I have used stabilized desert ironwood, stabilized by WSSI.
I just got 17 lbs of stablized wood back from them.
They are my first choice.
Thanks,
Del
 
I just sent 125# of burl woods to Mike at WSSI. I wouldn't have anyone else do it. There is little need to stabilize DI, but Mike can do it. I just sand and polish it as is.
Stacy
 
I don't want to sound like an expert,,god knows we learn new stuff every day.

Desert (sonora) Ironwood only grow below 4,000 feet and is exclusive to that area (71,403 sq mi ) the wood is so dense it will not float in water, the oils in the wood seal it naturaly and most Ironwood trees live over 2,000 years.
Tre extreamly dense matrix of the grain structure will not allow anything to permeate into it. The oils it contains prevents it from decay even left out in the elements for years
Skip (Phoenix Arizona/Ironwood Rd.)
P.S. the oxidation of the surface of the wood turns it black
 
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