Which Ironwood?

J

jeffj

Joined
Apr 8, 1999
Messages
439
I had posted in a previous topic a question about the most stable woods for handles. I've been trying to pick up some samples of the woods suggested. The ones I have are: Cocobolo, African blackwood, and Bocote. I think George T. suggested ironwood and I have so far seen a reference to ironwood for two different woods: Arizona Ironwood and Lignum Vitae. When somebody refers to ironwood which is it? If George is around, which one did you mean?

jj
 
I believe I replied to a previous post concerning ironwood. Actually, there is no such thing as "ironwood". The term ironwood is generally referred to as being the hardest wood in a particular region. In the part of Texas I live in, Bois D'Arc is referred to as ironwood. What is referred to as desert ironwood is actually honey mesquite. The wood varies from region to region.
When knifemakers refer to ironwood, it is generally of the desert ironwood variety but to be sure, you must ask to be sure. I have seen some makers at some of the shows use the term as a marketing ploy.

Which ironwood is a very good question.....
I am sure that I have been "more" than helpful......

CLWilkins
 
The stuff I'm familiar with comes out of the Southwestern US and Mexico, particularly from the Sonoran desert.
There's a fellow who frequents rec.knives and the knife-list named Miguel who sells various grades of this wood, quite a bit of which is most spectacular. If anyone requests it, I'll get his e-mail address.
I find quite a bit of it at yard and estate sales..carved into statues of animals, birds, fish, etc., for 50 cents to $5-$10, depending on the size.
Harry Jensen
Fresno, CA
 
I believe that's correct that every area calls their own hardest tree ironwood. We have something we call ironwood here in Massachusetts ... I'm not sure what species it is but it can't be any kind of mesquite....

Lignum Vitae (living wood) is an African wood that's incredibly hard and dense and fine-grained -- it's used to make machinery bearings. I think it would make a great knife handle if you can get it. By the way, it's so heavy it sinks in water.

-Cougar Allen :{)
 
Sorry about the ambiguity. I meant to say Desert Ironwood, at least that is what it is called in the knife supply community. I have been told that the local name for it is Honey Mesquite. This wood is prized for handles because of the dramatic light and dark grain pattern and very noticable colour shifts as you rock it in the daylight. Prime quality pieces are in short supply and very expensive.

CL is right about every region having a local wood referred to as ironwood, our local variety in eastern Canada is a relative to elm that is extremely hard but unfortunately straight grained and greyish. I can't bring myself to use it on a knife handle.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 
most knifemakers refer to desert ironwood as "Ironwood" and most of it comes from the sonora desert way down in mexico....theres plenty in arizona but it think youre not supposed to harvest it...right? anyway... the true Ironwood is Lignum vitae....most of it comes from haiti and around there...and for many years it was used as the last bearing in a ships prop shaft....in the compartment where the sea water came in... it has a great natural wax and is very very dense....approx. 82 lbs per cubic foot... heavier than ebony....but the natural wax is a problem for knifemakers as it makes it hard to epoxy well.....i have been collecting lignum for about 20 years and have a lot of it (i made furniture before i started making knives) and i have one very nice very large chunk that i would like to sell....its about 140 lbs...a steal at $5 per lb...if anyones interested...you pay the shipping....aloha

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http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 11 August 1999).]
 
In Calif (Central coast) there is an "ironwood"...Lyonothalmus asplenifolius and floribundus...Rosaceae. Common name is Catalina Ironwood. Nowdays its only found in native stands on the Channel Islands...in times past it was found on mainland coastal chaparral. You can find it raised by some specialty nurseries for ornamental useage. I planted one 16 yrs ago and its survived, though has been frost killed back a few times so its a lot shorter than normal for its age.
Chumash indians and later Spanish missionaries used it for axels, nails, ship rudders, etc.
 
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