Wood material for knife handle?

[brnix]

Hi everyone, a new member here and this is only my second post. This knife stuff already has me addicted and I can't ever decide what to buy next! Anyway, I'm wanting to have my dad and brother a custom knife made for Christmas but I want to pick out my own exotic wood handles. I'm looking at amboyna burl for one and not sure yet for the other. Could you guys point me in the right direction as to where I could purchase the stabilized scales for these projects? Would I be better off just deciding what I want and let the knife maker do the purchasing? These will be the first custom knives I've dealt with so thanks for your patience and advice. By the way, I'm going to have Scott Cook make these in a small owyhee hunter. Thanks for your help.

 

[tmickley]

There are dozens, maybe hundreds of places you can get knife scales. Have a look at lumberlady's. I've ordered from her a couple times and she's good to deal with. Send her an email on what you want. She usually responds with in a few hours, especially on the weekends. Keep in mind amboyna (probably my favorite burl)is one of the most expensive burls and then stabilizing (a must) raises the price even more. If she doesn't have any stabilized amboyna on hand, she will send it toWSSI. WSSI sells blocks of many different stabilized woods, but you will have to cut it into scales. Get the knife blank picked out before buying the wood so you know what size scales to purchase if you going to make it yourself from a kit. If you are going to have a custom knife made, I'm sure most makers would use your scales but ordinarily the maker would take care of that for you.

 

[Mike Hull]

Here's another place. They stabilize and sell wood.
http://www.stabilizedwood.com/

 

[ddavelarsen]

Regarding whether to buy your own scales or have the maker do it, I believe most makers would be happy to use your materials provided they're of acceptable quality. You're right on with stabilizing. Given the personal nature of your order I can't see the maker objecting. Just my 2c.

One striking wood you don't often see is Palm, red or black. I'll try to get a pic later, it's neat stuff. Again, stabilize. Palm has a very open grain.

Dave

 

[RJSmith]

Check out www.alphaknifesupply.com . They have excellent quality stabilized wood, great service, and many of the actual pieces are pictured on the website for the buyer to choose.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Here's what the Palm looks like. I think it's dramatic stuff but really needs the grain to be filled. You could also use crazy glue but that'd take a while.

Dave

 

[brnix]

Thanks for your help guys. These places have given me a chance to get a good look at many different woods. Thanks for the pics of the palm wood also ddavelarsen. That does have a great look to it that I have not seen before. So much time, so little money.