what's the attraction with ebony?

[mnblade]

I hear tell once you go black, you'll never go back.

 

[artmichalek]

I just finished putting a set of Gabon ebony scales on one of my barlows. For such a hard material, it has a very soft feel. Also, the combination of smooth black scales with silver pins and bolsters just looks very elegant to me. It's simple and functional.

 

[4ever3]

So far, I agree with all that has been posted about the finest, sexiest, sleekest, most traditionalist, wood to be put on a slip joint, however, one point has been left out... Ebony, it does a body good :thumbup:

 

[comoha]

I've purchased many vintage ebony slipjoints and one thing that amazes me is that quite often the ebony has outlasted the steel components. The blades and springs from a hard-use knife can be heavily pitted and corroded while the ebony handles look like they were put on yesterday. Thats a testimony to the high quality nature of ebony.

 

[sappyg]

WOW... great comments and some super shameless pics. :thumbup:

i didn't know there was so much variety. some (macassar) even looks a little like rosewood. neat stuff

 

[Blues]

What's the attracton with ebony?

I think it speaks for itself (imho):

(Plus, as has been said, it's as traditional as the day is long...)

 

[tomcrx]

It is a traditional wood to use. Just like yellow celluloid and derlin are popular because of their historical use. I think there are other woods that look better, i.e. snakewood, but don't have the history that ebony does when it comes to pocketknives

 

[crossada]

i wish there was a way replace existing handle scales on some pocket knives with ebony. I know there are people here who could do it but i wish i could. I've settled with stag because i couldn't find the patterns i wanted in ebony

 

[popedandy]

For me it is just a matter of personal taste. It isn't the only handle material I like, but it is one of my favorites. For whatever reason the look just happens to appeal to me.

 

[moonwilson]

I like ebony because it contrasts so well with steel and nickel silver. I also like the warm feel it has in hand, like micarta, but it's natural. I wish it were available on more patterns! The new Case Backpocket in ebony is going to be fantastic. I predict you're going to see a lot of images and posts in this forum in about a month or so, crowing about that knife.

 

[navihawk]

Bone was always my scale of choice, and stag being right there too. My latest favorite knife in bone dropped out of my hand from about a foot and a half to the driveway and cracked one side of it.Having owned old ones and new ones in ebony, it has become my favorite because of its feel, elegance, toughness and most of all, being one of the most traditional materials.

 

[Will Power]

Steve, your CS Half Moon in ebony certainly outshines my version in jigged bone! Very nice lustre on that knife.

 

[navihawk]

Thanks willgoy. I use it like a "worry stone" a lot. I don't do much cutting with it except for string or something, but I do carry it just to hold it, or while watching tv.

 

[Will Power]

It certainly is beautiful stuff, but it's also astonishingly tough and dense. I have 3 Ebony carved elephants on my desk with ivory toenails and they used to have ivory 'tusks' Used to, yes,there were five of them originally at my Gran's house. During the World War they were blown off the shelf during an air-raid, the biggest and smallest elephants 'perished' and the carved ivory road or stand they were on was wrecked. The three survivors show some scars, a big chunk out of the middle one but they've gone on being beautiful ornaments, for another 70 years .The largest one is very heavy indeed showing just how dense the wood is, yet smooth and pleasing to the touch. Can't imagine ever getting splinters from Ebony

 

[DallasSTB]

As stated earlier, the silver and black contrast is really beautiful when it's done well. Here another shot of my '75 AGR / Hen & Rooster Whittler that I'm carrying today, just cuz -

 

[navihawk]

A couple of more. The stockman,despite the harsh cleaning it got at some point is tough as nails. The copperlock has some brown in it but the same feel. I can't wait for the Moose.