Wood experts, I have a question...

Doubledee

Doubledee

Joined
Oct 22, 2011
Messages
164
Today I was splitting some broad leaf maple that I cut down earlier this year and found this cool looking coloration in the wood and I'm wondering if I should save it for scales on knives I plan to build In the future...
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Always save wood, and you can always use it :)

Which is not to say you can use it tomorrow, or that it might not need stabilizing, or whatever...
 
Broad leaf maple is a softer maple. Dry it for a couple years and have it stabilized. I have a few piles of it drying in my shop.
 
That place where the wood looks all "wrinkled" should yield you some pretty good "Flame" or "Tiger Stripe" or something like that .Soft maple often doesnt require the prolonged drying time of , say ,Oak or Rock Maple.etc..but it would benefit from being stabilized .
 
I think I'll build a special rack in my new wood shed just for pieces like this so they don't accidentally get used for heat... Does stabilising the wood make it tougher And more durable?
 
Stabilizing impregnates the wood with resin, but still requires sealing as the wood itself is still able to absorb moisture. People tend to use CA or an oil based finish such as tru-oil to seal the wood. I brought back a few pieces of maple and poplar that were starting to spalt from the cabin this weekend. There are some great flame pieces, and some dramatic spalt lines.
 
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