Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Favorite wood for knife scales?

Previous Thread

Next Thread

Favorite wood for knife scales? #14477002 01/17/20 Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 MOGC OP Campfire Outfitter OP MOGC Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 I've had desert ironwood, buckeye burl, snakewood and a few I've forgotten. Placing an order with Charlie May for a Buk95 and instead of my usual micarta or G10 I'd like to dress this one up a little with some nice wood scales. What is your favorite wooden knife scale material? Pictures appreciated! Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477315 01/17/20 Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,347 Alaska FishinHank Campfire Tracker FishinHank Campfire Tracker Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,347 Alaska I like curly maple a lot. The tiger eye effect is pretty cool.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477425 01/17/20 Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,034 Kentucky W woods_walker Campfire Tracker woods_walker Campfire Tracker W Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,034 Kentucky I have had two Buk95's both done with micarta, this knife pattern is one of my favorites. I've not had good long term results with wood (cocobolo), mostly minute shrinkage with another makers knife (a sample of one). I will offer, that particular knife has been used often and not always wiped dry as soon as it should have been.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477468 01/17/20 Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 19,002 Central MS BigDave39355 Campfire Ranger BigDave39355 Campfire Ranger Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 19,002 Central MS I like the looks of wood. Not counting an old hickory kitchen knife. I don’t think i have any wood scale knives. Or bone either for that matter. Dave �The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477506 01/17/20 Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana M MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana African Blackwood looks good. Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477561 01/17/20 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 17,800 G gunswizard Campfire Ranger gunswizard Campfire Ranger G Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 17,800 I like desert ironwood, I've also used fancy claro walnut.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14477624 01/17/20 Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 1,871 Texas T TxHunter80 Campfire Regular TxHunter80 Campfire Regular T Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 1,871 Texas I like black palm, redwood burl, and black/white ebony. I’ve got some stabilized bog oak scales that I’m planning on using for something. You can find better looking scales but it is pretty unique using something that was buried in peat bog for a few thousand years Last edited by TxHunter80; 01/17/20.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14478686 01/18/20 Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,621 Wyoming C Cinch Campfire Regular Cinch Campfire Regular C Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,621 Wyoming I’m not much into wood scales but... I’ve found Amboyna burl to be beautiful... I’ve had Gene put together a few for me... Public landowner...

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? Cinch #14479344 01/18/20 Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 MOGC OP Campfire Outfitter OP MOGC Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 Originally Posted by Cinch I’m not much into wood scales but... I’ve found Amboyna burl to be beautiful... I’ve had Gene put together a few for me... Beautiful! Thanks for the picture. Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479464 01/18/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas I am a wood slut, with rifles and knives among other things! with knives, my favorite wood is Ironwood A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479468 01/18/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas with cocobolo being second ya! GWB A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479477 01/18/20 Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,404 Corpus Christi,Texas baldhunter Campfire Tracker baldhunter Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,404 Corpus Christi,Texas Nice ones GWB!!! ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479501 01/18/20 Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 67,695 N. Central Florida, and Miami Mannlicher Campfire Kahuna Mannlicher Campfire Kahuna Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 67,695 N. Central Florida, and Miami Bocote, hands down. Sam......

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479733 01/18/20 Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,350 Oregon L longarm Campfire Tracker longarm Campfire Tracker L Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,350 Oregon Wow, some very pretty knives here. Thanks again GW and Cinch for sharing pics of your collections. Inspiring.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479851 01/18/20 Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana M MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana Ironwood and African Blackwood are clearly my two favorites. I don't have many wood scaled knives. Here are a few I have on hand. Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479871 01/18/20 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,167 N.. Newaukum, Washington J Judman Campfire Ranger Judman Campfire Ranger J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,167 N.. Newaukum, Washington Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies. Ain’t easy havin pals.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479946 01/18/20 Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,350 Oregon L longarm Campfire Tracker longarm Campfire Tracker L Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,350 Oregon Very, very nice

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14479972 01/18/20 Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana M MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter MontanaCreekHunter Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 13,354 Florence, Montana Here is a picture with better light. The African Blackwood is very hard to see the grain structure. But is very nice in my opinion. Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? Judman #14480069 01/18/20 Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 MOGC OP Campfire Outfitter OP MOGC Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 Originally Posted by Judman Nice! Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14481381 01/18/20 Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,688 Journeyman Campfire Regular Journeyman Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,688 If not stabilized...then Ironwood here... You can no more tell someone how to do something you've never done, than you can come back from somewhere you've never been...

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14482649 01/19/20 Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty R rickmenefee Campfire Tracker rickmenefee Campfire Tracker R Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty Blackwood moves less than any un stabilized wood. As for hafting material

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? rickmenefee #14482702 01/19/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas Originally Posted by rickmenefee Blackwood moves less than any un stabilized wood. As for hafting material Good to see you back! ya! GWB A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14482749 01/19/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 24,643 Flagler Co. FL VinceM Campfire Ranger VinceM Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 24,643 Flagler Co. FL Ironwood Stabilized maple Website : New website coming soon thanks for your patience

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? geedubya #14482900 01/19/20 Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty R rickmenefee Campfire Tracker rickmenefee Campfire Tracker R Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty Originally Posted by geedubya Originally Posted by rickmenefee Blackwood moves less than any un stabilized wood. As for hafting material Good to see you back! ya! GWB Thanks just wondering around in a big circle. Started making fixed blades last month and have not seemed to stop. Got me thinking!

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14482912 01/19/20 Joined: May 2010 Posts: 14,943 Central Texas P poboy Campfire Outfitter poboy Campfire Outfitter P Joined: May 2010 Posts: 14,943 Central Texas I had some African Zebrawood scraps off a jobsite. I made knife handles and pistol grips. Wish I had more, especially free for the taking. --- CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE --- A Magic Time To Be An Illegal In America---

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14484460 01/19/20 Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,802 north central minnesota j_elky Campfire Regular j_elky Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,802 north central minnesota GW - any chance for a close up of the skinner in the upper right? Jeff

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? j_elky #14484620 01/19/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas Originally Posted by j_elky GW - any chance for a close up of the skinner in the upper right? Jeff Yowsir! This was the first semi-skinner of Rick's that I came by. Etched A2 steel. A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14484734 01/19/20 Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,802 north central minnesota j_elky Campfire Regular j_elky Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,802 north central minnesota Much obliged friend!!! I like that one a whole bunch. I've got some 3/16" x 2" stock, may try my hand at a dupe. You're a good man GW.... best to you.....Jeff

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? rickmenefee #14484798 01/19/20 Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,493 virginia G gene270 Campfire Tracker gene270 Campfire Tracker G Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,493 virginia nice to have you back Rick....always liked seeing your work

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14484888 01/19/20 Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 MOGC OP Campfire Outfitter OP MOGC Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,683 Wouldn't an accomplished knife maker know what needs stabilizing and do so? Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? gene270 #14484939 01/19/20 Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty R rickmenefee Campfire Tracker rickmenefee Campfire Tracker R Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty Originally Posted by gene270 nice to have you back Rick....always liked seeing your work Thanks

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? rickmenefee #14488800 01/20/20 Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 N Nebraska Campfire Outfitter Nebraska Campfire Outfitter N Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 Originally Posted by rickmenefee Originally Posted by geedubya Originally Posted by rickmenefee Blackwood moves less than any un stabilized wood. As for hafting material Good to see you back! ya! GWB Thanks just wondering around in a big circle. Started making fixed blades last month and have not seemed to stop. Got me thinking! Very nice! I've purchased two custom knives, one as a gift for a friend many years ago and I just purchased another one this year for my son. I think I'm going to have to buy one for myself one of these days and I REALLY like the way that one looks on the bottom in the middle......what's the scoop with that one if you don't mind??? Biden's most truthful quote ever came during his first press conference, 03/25/21. Drum roll please...... "I don't know, to be clear." and THAT is one promise he's kept!!!

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? Nebraska #14488819 01/20/20 Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty R rickmenefee Campfire Tracker rickmenefee Campfire Tracker R Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3,200 gods counrty Originally Posted by Nebraska Originally Posted by rickmenefee Originally Posted by geedubya Originally Posted by rickmenefee Blackwood moves less than any un stabilized wood. As for hafting material Good to see you back! ya! GWB Thanks just wondering around in a big circle. Started making fixed blades last month and have not seemed to stop. Got me thinking! Very nice! I've purchased two custom knives, one as a gift for a friend many years ago and I just purchased another one this year for my son. I think I'm going to have to buy one for myself one of these days and I REALLY like the way that one looks on the bottom in the middle......what's the scoop with that one if you don't mind??? I’ll tell you as I told Gee in the beginning. Be careful! It can grab you

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? rickmenefee #14492331 01/21/20 Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 N Nebraska Campfire Outfitter Nebraska Campfire Outfitter N Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 Originally Posted by rickmenefee I’ll tell you as I told Gee in the beginning. Be careful! It can grab you LOL!! When I see all these beautiful knives, I wouldn't doubt that for a second!! Biden's most truthful quote ever came during his first press conference, 03/25/21. Drum roll please...... "I don't know, to be clear." and THAT is one promise he's kept!!!

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? Nebraska #14492445 01/21/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas Originally Posted by Nebraska I REALLY like the way that one looks on the bottom in the middle......what's the scoop with that one if you don't mind??? That is a knife that Rick made several years ago. I like the texture of ram's horn scales on a skinning knife. The blade is 154CM IIRC. It was one I was fortunate enough to acquire. ya! GWB A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14518063 01/29/20 Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,165 Georgia Mathsr Campfire Tracker Mathsr Campfire Tracker Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,165 Georgia Curly ash is one of my favorite woods for a knife handle. This little Valachovic style hunter is one my brother Charlie made a while back. Last edited by Mathsr; 01/29/20. Reason: spelling Harry

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14518083 01/29/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,113 western michigan M michiganroadkill Campfire Tracker michiganroadkill Campfire Tracker M Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,113 western michigan I had a large chunk of that curly ash, but cannot find it to save my....... It is cool. "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein At Khe Sanh a sign read "For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never knew".

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? geedubya #14519728 01/30/20 Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 N Nebraska Campfire Outfitter Nebraska Campfire Outfitter N Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 14,064 Originally Posted by geedubya Originally Posted by Nebraska I REALLY like the way that one looks on the bottom in the middle......what's the scoop with that one if you don't mind??? That is a knife that Rick made several years ago. I like the texture of ram's horn scales on a skinning knife. The blade is 154CM IIRC. It was one I was fortunate enough to acquire. ya! GWB Wowza! I really like that stag handle too!! Biden's most truthful quote ever came during his first press conference, 03/25/21. Drum roll please...... "I don't know, to be clear." and THAT is one promise he's kept!!!

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14520004 01/30/20 Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 975 WV WV_Airedale Campfire Regular WV_Airedale Campfire Regular Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 975 WV I'm partial to apple, have seen pear and it looks really nice too. I have some redbud that makes a beautiful spoon, but no knife handle as yet.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? WV_Airedale #14520058 01/30/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,119 Texas Might be fun to play with some Walnut! ya! GWB A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: Favorite wood for knife scales? MOGC #14520496 01/30/20 Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,219 Rapid City, SD, US Boise Campfire Tracker Boise Campfire Tracker Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,219 Rapid City, SD, US Walnut is a relatively soft wood but with some of the prettiest character. Ironwood is my favorite but I prefer bone or horn more. The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein