toughest woods for stub tang.

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Hi all. I had a blade that actually made it to the heat treat and beyond, so now I have to handle it. My question is, what kind of wood would be the best solution for a short tang knife as far as toughness goes?

I would think that the short tang would put a lot of pressure inside the wood, trying to split it apart, under heavy use/abuse. Is there a wood that has the property of staying together well? Are there any tricks to help out the handle?

I think most anything would work under normal use, I am just wondering what I could use that would take some abuse. Also, if it is a less common wood, you will have to tell me where to get it easily.
 
Maple, Solid block of G10, Ironwood
Fit up a square block and drill a hole thru it and the tang with the block in place. You can finish the handle by itself and add your pin later or Bond the handle and pin it finishing it in place.
Be certain you do a final finish on any parts of the knife you can't get to with the handle attached, Before Gluing it up!
 
Thanks. I did not realize maple was anywhere near the same class as ironwood. I can get the maple locally.Thanks again.
 
Don't forget hickory. there is a reason they use it in hammer and Axe handles. I like maple but there is allot of difference between say sugar maple and rock maple.
 
Cocobolo, too. Just make a good fitting hole and fill it with a good grade epoxy.
You can always weld a longer tang on the blade. Just arc/wire weld it on while the blade is clamped between two sheets of metal (more to protect it from the spatter than the heat).
Stacy
 
if you want an EXOTIC wood in an american context. try 10,000yr swamp kauri from here in NZ.
 
Lignum Vitae is the strongest wood I have ever encountered. My source for it dried up though, maybe someone else can suggest a good source. Purple heart is very strong for such a pretty wood as well. It can be found from any specialty wood place.
 
moon59 said it. Osage wood!! Tough as nails I make bows out of it also and it is VERY tough and beautiful.
 
Well I just ended up w/ a piece of maple. I don't think there is anything too special about it, but it has the irridescent tiger stripe running across it. My problem is the blade is brand new, but looks like someone made it 50 years ago and it has been sitting in a box of tools since. I will probably use a piece of the maple, but not the nicest part, and then probably age it somehow. Just would not look right having such an old looking blade w/ a nice shiny handle.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
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