Why use stabilized wood?

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Graps
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Why use stabilized wood?

#1 Post by Graps »

I have been asked this question a few times and I will try and answer it.
First of all, like the name says, its stable. meaning it won't shrink or crack with age.
I have made some very nice looking knives, got them all sanded and finished with Linseed oil or True Oil.
Then after several months, the steel of the tang is protruding past the wood by as much as 1/16" all the way around.
With stabilized wood, that doesn't happen and also all you have to do after shaping the handle is, just fine sand it and buff the finish out.
And if the handle gets a scratch in it, sand it out and buff to like new again.
Oh, and when you drill pin holes, it doesn't splinter out.
Hope this explains it well enough.
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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Graps
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#2 Post by Graps »

Here is my latest chunk of knife scales.
20181103_155252~01.jpg
20181103_155252~01.jpg (65.78 KiB) Viewed 637 times
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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Elkman
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#3 Post by Elkman »

Wow!!
That's a nice pair.
Calling Elk - Awesome! !€

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Dan
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#4 Post by Dan »

Purdy piece of wood

Captainkirk
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#5 Post by Captainkirk »

How can you tell it wood is stabilized when purchasing?
Aim small, miss small!

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Graps
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#6 Post by Graps »

It will be described as being stabilized.
When you work with it, you will smell a plastic smell.
It's acrylic ( plexiglass ) and drills like it too.
If you are looking for it, just search " Stabilized wood knife scales."
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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White Falcon
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#7 Post by White Falcon »

Yep!

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Shadowhntr
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#8 Post by Shadowhntr »

Informative post and beautiful scales!
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

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Grizzly
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#9 Post by Grizzly »

Thanks for that Graps. Now for another design worthy of such a fine piece of wood. Something that might flow into that darkened area. This one might have to be a bit longer???
Jesus replaces the old covenant and speaks to the believer the moral code of God by His Spirit directly to the heart. He is the eternal, everlasting revelation of God to mankind. In Him is both the knowledge of righteousness and the power to live right.

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Graps
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Re: Why use stabilized wood?

#10 Post by Graps »

I have a piece of Black Buckeye Burl coming that will overshadow this one.
The blade is ready for heat treat but I need to wait for the scales because I made the handle drop kinda like a plow handle. The wood might not be wide enough and if I need to, I'll rework the tang on the blade.
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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