I couldn’t find any ebony for a project once that needed a forend tip. Bought two pieces of 3/8” flat ebony on EBay for making knife scales, they were 2x6x3/8. I cut them into 2x3 pieces and laminated them together using WEST systems epoxy. It’s been 6-7 years now and I’d bet $100 you couldn’t find a seam in that forend cap.
Just an idea for you guys who’re having trouble sourcing ebony.
