wood

Spend a few extra bucks and get yourself something nice. (If you can, of course)

Wood from Burl Source is amazing, Although a bit costly, It's worth every penny.
Plus, you can get all kinds of interesting woods.
Spalted woods, burls, wood carbon dated to 5000 years ago, etc. :D

Just my 00.02$.
 
well im not looking for looks too much although they are very nice, im just looking for something cheap and sturdy :P but ofcourse it helps if it looks good too :P
the more i think about it the more i think i might actually just go for the red cedar.... i already have it and i got it for free so i dont have to worry about screwing something up :P
 
oh, just found out. its juniper, not red cedar, although it is, but the north american version i suppose?
i do think i am going to use it :) its rather plain but it smells good :) and looks rather fine when soaked in oil...

oh yea, and also. what is the recomended diameter for the pins?
(no point in makeing a whole other thread about it :P)
 
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I got some ipe (brazilian walnut) at a building materials recycling center. It was from some flooring scraps. I also found a piece that was left overs from a deck, 6" x 48" x 3/4" for about $10. Very dense and hard, dark brown in color. Some local flooring contractors may have some scraps.

I rehandled a cheap kitchen spreader with ipe. It is holding up very well to use in the kitchen. I just sanded it up to 400 grit and put a couple of coats of linseed oil on it.

What size piece are you looking for?

Ric
 
oh, its mainly for an eskabar, although if i can i was going to also use if for a svord peasant which is less important as it already is fairly comfortable with the plastic handles :P so somewhere around 4" long 2-3" wide and 1/4-3/8" thick although that doesnt matter too much
 
My garage. I have some fancy maple, some cocobolo, some ebony, some claro walnut and some fancy american black walnut. I buy shotgun gunstock blanks and use just the butt portion, leaves me nice 3X3 pieces left over.

Once you shape and sand it and finish with Tung oil it gets hard as a rock and works like plastic.

I have THOUGHT about selling some on here, but I'm not in the business and don't want to step on anyone's tail.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
Do you know a woodworker? the trashcan in most cabinet shops would have enough scrap to last you a long time.
I have found some nice wood in shipping pallets.
And cedar is so soft, if you are going to use cedar try using a dark red piece near a knot, it should be harder.
 
If you are just learning the shaping and finishing wood knife handles, I would suggest not buying wood.
Just about every town has cabinet shops. If you ask politely for some cut offs for practice pieces they will usually give you several chunks for free.
This way you don't have to worry about cost while learning to shape, sand and finish handle material.

If you can't find good dry wood locally, let me know and I can put together a small package of practice pieces for you. You just pay the postage.

Using natural wood it is very important that it be dry. For hardness see if you can dent it with your thumbnail.
If you can't, it should be hard enough.
As long as you use good dry wood and finish it properly it should hold up good.
When you get to the point where you can make a decent handle, then think about buying handle material.
Professionally stabilized wood will work a lot like normal wood as far as shaping and sanding. Will be easier to finish.
So....if you learn the basics through trial and error first, then you won't have to worry as much about ruining expensive pieces later.
 
ok so i guess ill keep my eye out for a cabinet shop :P
i also still have a good bit to go before i can even start.
still gotta get some files and rasps and a decent saw. but i figured i'd get to know some good woods to get if i see them :P
thanks everyone ;)
 
Walrus - Where on the planet do you reside?

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