Who does Stabalizing??

[Fiddleback]

Yesterday I picked up some unbelievably beautiful curly hickory. I've never seen hickory look this good. So I have some questions.

How prone is Hickory to cracking? Does it need to be stabalized? Who do I send it to to get that done? Whats the cost?

 

[Gene Martin]

I don't know whether hickory cracks. I use K&G (www.knifeandgun.com) to get my stabilizing done. WSSI does a fine job , too. The wood needs to be dry. They charge by the pound, finished weight.

Gene

 

[mtngoat]

Does stabilizing make the wood harder to work?

goat

 

[Fiddleback]

Thanks Gene. I'll call those two.

Anybody know whether hickory is prone to cracking??

 

[TekSec]

Does stabilizing make the wood harder to work?

goat

No, it actually makes it easier to buff and polish. Finish down to 320 to remove any scratches (I usually wet sand with 400 for the final with some slightly soapy water) then buff out with white compound for a polished handle / scale.

 

[G L Drew]

Thanks Gene. I'll call those two.

Anybody know whether hickory is prone to cracking??

Take a look at that shovel handle that has been in your garage for the past 20 years. Hickory is an excellent tool handle material. It will check and split if not dried properly just like any other wood. coat the end grain with wax and let it sit for a few months and it will work fine.

 

[Fiddleback]

Take a look at that shovel handle that has been in your garage for the past 20 years. Hickory is an excellent tool handle material. It will check and split if not dried properly just like any other wood. coat the end grain with wax and let it sit for a few months and it will work fine.

Thanks bro. I'm still using the heck out of the knife you sold me. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Barker]

I use River Ridge Wood Products. How's that shop coming along?
-John

 

[popcornpicker]

If you Google "minwax wood hardener", at the bottom of the page there's a tutorial from Northcoast Knives that says "Hints and Tips, page 3". It shows an easy way to do it yourself.

 

[Bill Armstrong]

Try super glue after you've shape it to finish...Ive had real good luck with it!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mike at WSSI does great stabilization. I just sent him a batch with some curly hickory in it.
Stacy

 

[Fiddleback]

I use River Ridge Wood Products. How's that shop coming along?
-John

Glued up 8 yesterday and shaped the handles later and this am. Thanks!