To stabilize or not to stabilize

[thknives]

Just picked up some highly figured spalted maple. Should I get it stablilized, or can I use it as is?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Thomas

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Haslinger Handcrafted Custom Knives
http://members.home.net/thknives
thknives@home.com

 

[John Yeackley]

Good question

I,ve used some spalted maple on some furniture but never a knife handle. Seemed somewhat open and soft in places due to the spalting. I'm also curious what others have to say about stabilizing it.

John

[This message has been edited by John Yeackley (edited 09-12-2000).]

 

[Jerry Hossom]

I'd recommend stabilizing it. Spalting is rot and you really don't know how strong the wood is in the spalted areas. Also, rot means water, and that means it might well shrink after it is on the knife. You can also have the wood stained in the stabilizing process. Wood Stabilizing Specialists Int'l does a nice job of that.

When in doubt stabilize.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show

 

[RHINOKNIVES]

i am with jerry on this. the presure from handeling a knife will spill and crack it in no time. there is a nother benifit to stablizing. it realy brings out the luster of the grain by being able to go 600 grit or higher and then buffing.

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Laurence Segal www.RHINOKNIVES.com

 

[C L Wilkins]

By all means get it stabilized. K&G in Arizona is another source to have it done. http://www.knifeandgun.com

 

[H.L. Holbrook]

I used some Spalted Maple I found in a pile of firewood. Had it stablized leaving the natural color and it looks great. Maple is bad to shrink if not stablized.