kayakersteve Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I cut this large burl off an old maple tree around 8 months ago. Is it worth using handle material? Should it be stabilized or dried and oiled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Have you looked at knives with maple burl on them and like it? It is too tough for me to know wot you like for handles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I have run a sawmill here for the past 30 years and have dried a lot of wood. It looks like you have cut the burl into chunks. I would leave them to dry in a covered outdoor area, stacked loosely, through at least one summer season. And keep them out of the sun. Two years would be better. At that point, evaluate what you have and decide if you like the look. You can get a "finished" idea of the grain using cheap rubbing alcohol on the wood. It will give it the "wet" look, and will evaporate, leaving no stain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Imho, maple burls can be quite soft and need stabilizing. Less than 10% moisture content is a must for the stabilizing to be effective. You may want to consider cutting them into blocks/scales and having them professionally stabilized. Looks like a nice cache! They also take dyes well. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakersteve Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks guys - Will continue to let dry and see what I end up with - Was wondering about stabilization and may send them out for that after they are dried better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakersteve Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Few more pics of a few pieces cut for hot plates: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 What did you end up using on the handle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakersteve Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 The handle on the knife in the pic was from scales ordered from Jantz or USA knife makers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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