Which way should I cut this burl?

[Burl Source]

I need some advice from you guys. Instead of just cutting this piece as I see fit, I thought I would ask what you want to see.

This is a piece of real old redwood burl from a slab that was cut as close to quartersawn as you can get with a burl like this. The wood is considerably harder than normal redwood. It is tough to find redwood burl with a wide band of still hard sapwood. So I wanted to be sure I do this right.

I started with this big old crusty looking slab.

I trimmed away the wood that I did not think was suitable for top grade handles. And marked the slab with 2 possible ways to cut the blocks.

Here is a closeup to show the grain and figure better.

My question is "Which do you prefer?"
#1 Cutting the block so there is a section of sapwood at the butt end of the block.
#2 Splitting the 2tone colors the length of the handle.

I will be cutting this later today. Your input is very much appreciated.
Thanks, Mark

 

[C_Kyle]

I like #2 better.

 

[Allen Newberry]

I think that both would be attractive. Two completely different effects. The one that is horizontal I would think would be a bit stronger and have a lot going on in the outside pieces, but wouldn't be as exciting in the blocks towards the center.

 

[Wade Jones]

#2 looks good to me.

 

[David Stifle]

I think a nice burl with lots of figure should always be cut so the grain runs horozontal to the blade. About the only exception is curly maple, and heck, that's not a burl anyway. Just my two cents worth.

Dave

 

[Burl Source]

#2 is the correct way to cut for both strength and for the best figure. The reason I asked was because of past requests.

More opinions would be helpful.
Larry, If you are out there your opinion would be especially helpful.
Thanks, Mark

 

[C_Kyle]

I think #1 would work better for a symmetrical blade, and #2 would work better for an asymmetrical blade (which is what most knives are).

 

[J. Doyle]

Personally, I like #1 but I am a bit different.

 

[Dan Pierson]

I prefer #2 in or near the location you marked however there might be a place in the burl where #1 would look better.

 

[CliveJericho]

I like the look of #1, but mostly just for the symmetry.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

Put me down for #2 style cut. If you cut it like that I like a block.

 

[anti-torsion]

#2 where you can get 2 colors, #1 towards the middle.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Another vote for #2

Patrice

 

[Troop]

I'll let you know after you cut 'em.

 

[marekz]

#2 is really nice but then again so is #1. marekz

 

[NDallyn]

I don't know how big your block is, but if it were mine, I would do some of both to maximize material usage (I usually lay out the whole block in pattern before cutting). I would use #2 for larger blades like chef's knives and #1 for smaller knives like parers or small hunters.

Just a thought, but it might look really cool to have the outside of the burl left on block #1 (the outside barky stuff). I might be tempted to leave that as the pommel on a hidden tang.

 

[Phillip Dobson]

I'll take #2.

 

[butcher_block]

how thick is that board as i would think cutting it so that the sapwood would be say on the face of a block and having the most of the eyes one the faces and not the sides like the 2 cuts that you have shown

 

[butcher_block]

kind of like this bad draw i jsut did with the thin part on top and the wide face on the side

 

[Tad Lynch]

kind of like this bad draw i jsut did with the thin part on top and the wide face on the side

I agree.

Tad