What is burl?

corwise

corwise

Joined
Nov 10, 2006
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On lots of 'for sale' knives I see handles made of "cherry burl," or so other version of burl. What is burl? How is it different/better then normal cherry or whatever? Thanks.

Dave
 
A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Burls are the product of a cambium. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burl wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition.

Linky.
 
This is considered burl, actually this is briar burl.

ZapSnap_027.png


burl.jpg
 
Last edited:
powernoodle said:
A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Burls are the product of a cambium. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burl wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition.

Linky.
Click to expand...

what he said:thumbup:
its damn beautiful too!
 
Is that an attempt at a joke? As in only a gay person would want a burl handled knife? Or are you a knife maker that sells burl handled knives to gay people and yours was a legitimate comment?
 
Reading donny bee's post then remembering what my mother always told me....

"If you can't say anything nice then......"

shaking my head and walking out...
 
Scott Free said:
Is that an attempt at a joke? As in only a gay person would want a burl handled knife? Or are you a knife maker that sells burl handled knives to gay people and yours was a legitimate comment?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he's just.... challenged... in a few different ways.
 
powernoodle said:
A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Burls are the product of a cambium. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burl wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition.

Linky.
Click to expand...

Great question. Excellent answer. Thanks to the both of you.
 
Scott Free said:
Is that an attempt at a joke? As in only a gay person would want a burl handled knife? Or are you a knife maker that sells burl handled knives to gay people and yours was a legitimate comment?
Click to expand...

He's a troll. He just got kicked off of knifeforums.com

Ignore him.
 
If Donny Bee had an ounce of decency, he'd edit that post.

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Here are a few of my favorites in burled wood:

Bark River Knife and Tool:
BarkRiverTantos.jpg


The lower knife in this image, from AG Russell:
SwingGuardcomparison1.jpg
 
Those Bark Rivers are beautiful work. I'm wondering if the burls curling grain adds strength to the wood for the grip. Anyone know?
 
I expect it could have more strength than straight-grained wood. But burled wood areas also contain unusual flaws, knots, and gaps that probably create weak spots.
 
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