What Can You Tell Me About Maple Burl

[TrainedBullets]

OK, so I made a huge financial mistake by successfully “sharking” a DIW Runt. Of course, the thing is gorgeous, and now I’m all about wood handles for EDC type knives. Ugh.

From a beauty perspective, I’ve fallen hard for Maple Burl, but I know it’s a lot softer than DIW and wonder about stability and durability. I do live in an area with big humidity swings. On the flip side, it would not be subjected to hard use or weather and I will probably over maintain it.

Would you please share your experiences with Maple Burl handled Fiddlebacks?

 

[Tim the Wizard]

All maple and maple burl handles will be stabilized, a process that reinforces the wood with resin and fills any voids in the wood. Therefore, quite distinct from untreated maple which is very soft, your maple handle will act more like a hardwood, g10, or even brass. With very hard use, the wood may chip like any other material. It is unlikely to break up uniformly or change shape, except in which cases humidity rapidly changes. Keeping the wood oiled with foodsafe mineral oil every now and then will prevent shrinking in dry climates. It's good stuff and should not require maintenance outside of what you regularly do to keep the knife clean and in a condition ready for use.