Which Wood for Vise Jaws?

[AKA Knife Knut]

I got a vise for Christmas, and would like to make some wooden jaws for it. I already have a design figured out, but I am unsure what kind of wood would be best. Unfortunately, I cannot find any scrap 2x2 so I will have to go to the lumberyard.
So what kind of wood would be best as vise jaws?

 

[Steve Hayden]

Lignum Vitae

 

[ddavelarsen]

Lignum Vitae

That's a great suggestion but being the cheapo human I am, I've always just used oak and been willing to replace em every year or so.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I agree with shgeo. Lignum Vitae is super tough wood. The grain is interlocked. If it does crack it rarely splits.

 

[Mike Hull]

You can use almost anything for a base. Plywood, particle board, wood, or even masonite. Just make sure you glue some leather covering on it after.
I've been using a carpenters vise setup this way, for a horizontal vise, for years without problems, or even having to change the jaw lining.
Doesn't scratch blades either.

 

[anvilring]

please kill this ASAP.

 

[anvilring]

or a (bench level) wood working vise we're discussing here? A wood working vise could have wood jaws but I'd think aluminium the better. As for a vise for knife work, I"d use annealed brass as a first choice. It won't chip or break and will not mar steel; even soft steel if you've annealed properly. Wood will be you undoing I fear....

regards, mitch

 

[Ansoknives]

Just make sure you glue some leather covering on it after.

...hm I guess the picture shows that fur works also?

 

[ddavelarsen]

...hm I guess the picture shows that fur works also?

Mike likes those vise jaws really soft...

Actually, I think this is the first time I've seen a picture of any of Mike's knives around here. Notice you couldn't see the year on that picture?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I use coper jaw liners.They work great with red hot steel,cold steel,and wood.

 

[blgoode]

Is there anything other than tape / wrapping the blade with a cloth rag then clamping up that wont marr a final finish?

 

[Gossman Knives]

I've gone the cheap way and use a scrap piece of leather folded in half to hold the blade in the vise for sanding, guard work and file work.
Scott

 

[jhiggins]

I've gone the cheap way and use a scrap piece of leather folded in half to hold the blade in the vise for sanding, guard work and file work.
Scott

This is an unbeatable combination. Even better is this technique coupled with the smooth jaws of a machinist's vise. I like using leather because I can use a fresh piece whenever I want, thereby avoiding any grit that can cause a scratch.

 

[DaQo'tah Forge]

at first I didnt understand why you would ever want wood.....because I got some of them plastic vise jaw covers that stick on the vise with magnets and they work great,

But then I see how you need to hold red hot steel,,and would wood work better.

 

[Mike Hull]

I've gone the cheap way and use a scrap piece of leather folded in half to hold the blade in the vise for sanding, guard work and file work.
Scott

That's exactly what I use in all my vertical vises.
If you look at my photo above, you'll see a folded piece of leather belt clamped in the jaws of that little 3 1/2" Columbia vise, that's right beside my horizontal vise. I have something like that clamped in all my vises so I don't have to look for something when I'm ready to clamp a blade up.

Dave, that photo is about 2 1/2-3 years old.

 

[ddavelarsen]

I used to use leather too until I realized I was going beyond scrap and getting fancy with it... So I figure the wood jaws are soft enough and the masking tape takes up any grit that gets embedded in them. So far so good. But the idea of interlocking woodgrain is appealing to me, because the oak jaws do tend to split a bit when I put pin stock in em or hold a knife edge and spine.