The Draw of Ebony Wood??

[guitar1580]

Great pics folks. I love ebony too, and most of my favorite knives and guitars employ the use of it. Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said above, so here are a few pics of some of my fav ebony slabs.

JT

Some of my Bucks have the dark ebony, but I like the stripey ones best.

Macassar ebony fingerboard and bridge on one of my favorite Martin guitars.

 

[pertinux]

Texture, density, durability and feel in the hand. Ebony has it like nothing else. Fairly close grained and usually straight grained, possibly it's only flaw is in lacking much visual interest. The best qualities of ebony can't be photographed, they have to be felt and experienced.

Well-said! I always appreciated ebony before (visually, and as a fretboard material), but once I had it in-hand on a knife? Incomparable.

Macassar ebony fingerboard and bridge on one of my favorite Martin guitars.

Beautiful bridge.

~ P.

 

[Doug Add]

Well-said! I always appreciated ebony before (visually, and as a fretboard material), but once I had it in-hand on a knife? Incomparable.

As you said, that is a beautiful bridge on that Martin. Here is an old picture I took of the ebony fretboard of my Larrivée, and the GEC White Owl I later sold.

 

[pertinux]

A theme.

(Ebony, with a wee bit of maple and myrtlewood.)

~ P.

 

[Doug Add]

Beautiful P.!

Here is an updated picture showing the bridge (unfortunately not as figured ebony as guitar1580's).

 

[pertinux]

Beautiful P.!

Here is an updated picture showing the bridge (unfortunately not as figured ebony as guitar1580's).

Thanks. Does my heart good.

While pure black ebony is more "traditional" in both appearance and desirability (leading to its being stained by less scrupulous purveyors over the years), there's a lot to be said for pieces with variations. To me, it depends on the specific application, and the orientation of the grain within its setting or use. I think the (formerly your, silly man) White Owl looks fine indeed.

~ P.

 

[Doug Add]

Just to keep on topic with the photos, here is the much older ebony of my Landers, Fray & Clark jack atop the ebony fretboard. The first photo shows the fretboard a little more clearly than the second, which is focused on the grain of the knife.

 

[Doug Add]

While pure black ebony is more "traditional" in both appearance and desirability (leading to its being stained by less scrupulous purveyors over the years), there's a lot to be said for pieces with variations. To me, it depends on the specific application, and the orientation of the grain within its setting or use. I think the (formerly your, silly man) White Owl looks fine indeed.

It was the color variation of the ebony on that White Owl that compelled me to buy it.

I know, it probably was silly to let it go, but I had plenty of spear blade knives at the time, and had my eye on something else, so the 68 was sold to fund the new purchase.

 

[Peregrin]

My favorite slip joint handle material is Sambar stag, but I really like the ebony on my Norfolk. As someone already posted, it has a real warm feeling to it. Although it doesn't "pop" visually a close look at the grain and coloring helps me appreciate it more.

 

[Humppa]

Here are mine: From left to right; Ludwig Groten Solingen, GEC #72 Lockback and a F. Hartkopf Solingen

I love the grain and the feel of this wood. An incredible material!

 

[k4df4l]

I think traditional solid black ebony makes a knife look so classic and classy. Love the more exotic examples with various brown or grey streaking.

Since guitars were brought up, ebony has been at the center of the sustainability and ethical harvest debate in instrument circles. I really like Bob Taylor's idea of bringing the more exotic/non-traditional examples of ebony into the market:
[video=youtube;anCGvfsBoFY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY[/video]

 

[guitar1580]

That's a good video by Bob Taylor. He runs a very ethical company. Guitar makers have had to make lots of changes in the last couple of years. Look up what recently happened to the Gibson company over wood imports.

You guys have some cool pics. I love the handle on that butcher's steel, and the maple inlays on that guitar... and the knives of course.

Here is one of my favorite ebony fingerboards, on my 1978 Ovation. Jet black and ultra tight grain - one of the best playing necks I've played. ...and a dark piece on a 4 dot Buck 112.

The direct fingertip pressure on a guitar neck will eventually wear small divots into the wood, which can actually make a neck more comfortable over time.

JT

 

[lambertiana]

I applaud Bob Taylor for what he is doing.

I'm not a guitar player so his actions don't impact me as directly as they will some. However, I love good wood and there is room for all kinds. Although I much prefer jet black ebony for small slipjoints, on larger knives and articles I prefer to see striping and figure. That is why I generally prefer Gabon ebony for slipjoints and Macassar ebony for larger items.

 

[2Dead]

A few more...

#12 Powderhorn Jack

#23 Pioneer slip join and LL

#33 Conductor

#56 Doglegs

#66 Calf Roper

#66 Harness Jack

#72 Lockback

#73 Scout

#73 Scout LL

#85 EO

Canal Street Cutlery Half Moon Trapper

 

[TLARbb]

I don't believe I have ever seen a more appealing photo of an ebony handled knife than this one by Christian (kamagong) that he posted in a thread he started.
IMO, if this photo doesn't sell you on ebony, then none will.

I have a knife just like it but I haven't been able to get a photo of mine that represents it as well as Christian's photo does. (Reposted with permission.)

Ed J

 

[jkulysses]

I love looking at the shots of all the old ebony folders. I'm not sure why you don't see more of the "black and white" ebony on some of these knives - it is certainly an interesting material. Personally, I like ebony to work with, but it can be a bit splintery and it chips out easily if you don't treat it with care when filing it. To be honest, I prefer heavier, denser, woods when I make scales - rosewood, cocobolo, lignum vitae, blackwood, ironwood...

Here's a set of black-and-white ebony scales I'm shaping into scales now. My wife says they look like a calico cat. I'll post some pics when it is done.

TedP

I too am always suprised that i don't hear more about this gorgeous wood. I don't care to much for the plain Ebony but the Black & White Ebony is in my top 3 favorite woods for a knife handle. If you have had time to finish this project and put this wood onto your knife I would love to see some pictures!