Which wood for scales?

Tylerxp

Tylerxp

Joined
Jul 10, 2012
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I live near my dad who has a complete wood shop. I was looking through his stash of craft woods and there are A LOT of cool looking pieces that I can use for scales (He makes pens with them). He suggested leopard wood or cocobolo, but I think that's just because that's what he has the most of.

Anyway, which woods have you used or seen used for scales? I'm looking for something that looks cool and will last a while. Since it's my first go at it, I'll probably make a few before I get it right.
 
If your going natural, try Ironwood, it has a great grain figure, and it's very dense, so It doesn't need stabilizing. If your going for stabilized I like Redwood, Curly Koa, Walnut, and Myrtlewood.

Those are just a few personal favorites. I get my wood from Burlsource, you should check it out.
 
Each type has their strengths, and quirks. For example hickory sometimes the grain will sort of "splinter", when you work it, or drill. There's a better term for it.
Cocobolo is heavy and very strong, seems to resist denting, but it's so oily you can't glue it. That's what I've read at least.

Maybe consider how, and where, you use the knife. Will it see blood, lots of rain, or desert dryness, etc.. Maybe you can choose something from his stash that works?
 
foxx said:
Cocobolo is heavy and very strong, seems to resist denting, but it's so oily you can't glue it. That's what I've read at least.
Click to expand...

I could swear that I have seen cocobolo handled knives that were glued and pinned. Maybe that used some kind of special epoxy?
 
I have MADE cocobolo handled knives that are epoxied and pinned. It's good stuff. I like it a lot. Also pretty fond of bocote. If you can get your hands on some nifty stabilized burl, that would go nicely also. I'd say that you should choose pieces that have a lot of activity, rather than focusing too much on the type of wood.
 
Thanks guys. I'll stick to what he has. I like the price of free, and the blanks that he uses for pens are the perfect size to rip into bookmatched pieces.
 
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