Want to try to use wood for handles, advice please

JGguns

JGguns

Hobbyist here to learn
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Messages
407
Hey fella's I am wanting to try a set of wood handles. I really like some of the different burls I have seen. But I have never messed with wood handles before. Is there a good starter wood? Or does it all work about the same? My brother wants me to make him a knife with wood scales so I figure I will use his as my first try. I dont have a way to cut them from a big block so I will have to order some Pre cut slabs. He really likes the amboyna burl I showed him from a post in the sale section here, but I would hate to ruin such an expensive set.

Idk if it matters but for tools I have coote 2x72, drill press, and dremel for working on the handles. And I plan to use 3/16" pins. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks fella's
 
Pity you don't have a saw... I'd give you a block of stabilized burl if you could use it. It wouldn't be amboybna, but it would be stabilized, burl and free. ;)

- Greg
 
tryppyr said:
Pity you don't have a saw... I'd give you a block of stabilized burl if you could use it. It wouldn't be amboybna, but it would be stabilized, burl and free. ;)

- Greg
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Hey Greg I actually talked to a carpenter buddy of mine an he said he would be willing to try an cut it in his chop saw if I bought a block( I was looking around in the web an found some blocks for a fair price so I was thinking about lpicking some up). If you really have some extra I would take you up on that. I will cover shipping at least.
 
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You got it - just take your time. You may end up doing a bit of hand sanding for final fit/finish. If you like the amboyna, take a look at bocote (I think that's spelled right),zebra wood, olive, many choices. I believe they may be a bit less expensive. If you have a WoodCrafters store near by, they normally carry a decent selection of exotic woods. Also, do your homework on the various woods to see how dense they are (for durability) & how much natural oils they contain (may or may not impact the type of finish) & some are even toxic but pretty to look at. Also, when drilling your pin holes - I'd recommend you drill the scale holes slightly larger than your pin diameter. The pin will expand as you peen it & depending how close your pins are to the scale edge - if it's tight it could crack on you & you'd have a 'ah-shit' moment & you don't want that. This is just my opinion & I'm NO expert but I've had many 'ah-shit' moments to learn from.
 
Big Barn said:
You got it - just take your time. You may end up doing a bit of hand sanding for final fit/finish. If you like the amboyna, take a look at bocote (I think that's spelled right),zebra wood, olive, many choices. I believe they may be a bit less expensive. If you have a WoodCrafters store near by, they normally carry a decent selection of exotic woods. Also, do your homework on the various woods to see how dense they are (for durability) & how much natural oils they contain (may or may not impact the type of finish) & some are even toxic but pretty to look at. Also, when drilling your pin holes - I'd recommend you drill the scale holes slightly larger than your pin diameter. The pin will expand as you peen it & depending how close your pins are to the scale edge - if it's tight it could crack on you & you'd have a 'ah-shit' moment & you don't want that. This is just my opinion & I'm NO expert but I've had many 'ah-shit' moments to learn from.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips BB. I actually do have a decet wood craft store near me. I am gonna swing in tomorrow an talk to them.
 
Just e-mail me your address and I'll ship the block to you. No charge for shipping.
 
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