Stabilizing curly maple

[ATX]

I have some curly maple that I want to cut into blocks and scales. Does anyone know if curly maple is usually dyed before it is stabilized, or does the curly maple get darker when it is stabilized?

 

[Erin Burke]

In general, maple will darken up nicely with regular "clear" stabilizing. You can see some photos on the WSSI site of clear stabilized maple (and others). WSSI has done all of my stabilizing, both clear and dyed. I have always been pleased with the results. :thumbup:

Edit: If you would like, I can send you some photos of some of the maple blocks that I have had stabilized clear.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have some curly maple dyed a tan/brown...and some left natural. As Erin said, the natural gets darkened somewhat. The curl won't be as defined as if would be if left unstabilized and treated with FC/FA/Dye or any of the many other maple treatments to develop the curl.