Which wood scales to go on a Benchmade 530?

[asdf12345]

Soon to get custom scales on a Benchmade 530... wondering what type of wood you guys think will look good with the 530 with a satin blade. The hardness of the wood is not going to be much of an issue as it will be used mostly for light work.

 

[Keyman]

Hardness of the wood is always an issue when you are nesting a liner or when you are creating cavities for the axis springs.
Both of these tasks create very thin areas with fine edging details that could easily crack, split or chip.
A good hardwood or some kind of stabilized wood would work best.
Ironwood or an Ironwood Burl would be my recommendation.

 

[richstag]

Ebony is pretty tough stuff.

I agree with Keyman on the stabilized aspect. It's not just a liner cover like on a traditional folder right?

So swelling would be a real concern. Not just cosmetic?

If that's important ebony does swell. Some of the really hard woods are brittle too.

What do you have your eye on? What does the maker usually work with?

 

[RevDevil]

Hawaiian Koa

 

[asdf12345]

Ebony is pretty tough stuff.

I agree with Keyman on the stabilized aspect. It's not just a liner cover like on a traditional folder right?

So swelling would be a real concern. Not just cosmetic?

If that's important ebony does swell. Some of the really hard woods are brittle too.

What do you have your eye on? What does the maker usually work with?

Yes the 530 has a small partial liner and the handle is basically one solid piece. What woods do you recommend for this type of construction, ones that won't swell or crack? I am ordering scales from cuscadi.de and as far as I know he has done a lot of wood scales on various knives.

One thing that is important to me is that the knife scales are a bright colored wood and not dark brown/black (ebony, bog oak, etc.) so that the knife can be more politically correct. To this end I am also considering shortening the blade and adding a blunt pry-bar tip as well. I had my eye on pernambuco, teak, and swamp kauri, but as far as I know cuscadi.de who I am in the process of contacting does not have these woods. If I happen to get a list or partial list of the woods available I will inquire further about durability.

 

[loonybin]

Yes the 530 has a small partial liner and the handle is basically one solid piece. What woods do you recommend for this type of construction, ones that won't swell or crack? I am ordering scales from cuscadi.de and as far as I know he has done a lot of wood scales on various knives.

One thing that is important to me is that the knife scales are a bright colored wood and not dark brown/black (ebony, bog oak, etc.) so that the knife can be more politically correct. To this end I am also considering shortening the blade and adding a blunt pry-bar tip as well. I had my eye on pernambuco, teak, and swamp kauri, but as far as I know cuscadi.de who I am in the process of contacting does not have these woods. If I happen to get a list or partial list of the woods available I will inquire further about durability.

Honestly, the 530 really doesn't lend itself to wood scales. Dymondwood, perhaps, but not natural wood.