Why use stabilized wood?

[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.

[Graps]

Here is my latest chunk of knife scales.

20181103_155252~01.jpg (65.78 KiB) Viewed 893 times

[Elkman]

Wow!!
That's a nice pair.

[Dan]

Purdy piece of wood

[Captainkirk]

How can you tell it wood is stabilized when purchasing?

[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."

[White Falcon]

Yep!

[Shadowhntr]

Informative post and beautiful scales!

[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???

[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.