Knife handles - LIstening to the missus?

[Ph34r]

Hi,

I am currently looking into making a handle out of either yew or oak wood. MY significant other tells me that you have to dry it for months/years before use. I personally don't believe this (I just think that she wants to avoid another messy patio/ lawn!). The only reason I am checking is that women in general seem to always be right about things they don't know about!

Regards,
No sexist offence intended,
Ph34r

[Chainsaw]

She's right, months at least for Yew. I put a bit of yew on a handle and it shrunk quite a bit so had to rehandle it. Holly doesn't seem to shrink as much, don't know about Oak. You can however buy pre-seasoned wood from suppliers such as Mick Wardell or Jean among others

Cheers,

Alan

[Ph34r]

Damn it! Thanks for the links, very useful

[FGYT]

+1 for Jean shes my main wood lady

ATB

Duncan

[Dave Budd]

I'm tight and in for the long game I'm afraid. I buy it by the plank at woodfairs (part seasoned) and then re-mill and store it

Though when I need something odd or special that I don't have, then I buy it from Jean She understands what knifemakers wants whereas most wood suppliers only sell for turning or furniture.

[bhofmann]

I believe the normal expected drying rate of English hardwoods is approximately an inch a year. That's the rule of thumb we use when working wood and when leaving it to dry. I have a fair bit of Yew and Oak that has been dried if anyone wants to visit and pick some up.

[Whittler Kev]

I believe the normal expected drying rate of English hardwoods is approximately an inch a year. That's the rule of thumb we use when working wood and when leaving it to dry. I have a fair bit of Yew and Oak that has been dried if anyone wants to visit and pick some up.

This could be a good excuse for coming for a visit from East Anglia

[dwardo]

You can season wood much faster indoors but it needs to be as small in diameter as possible. When the weather is good i can dry a bow stave indoors in a few weeks, maybe a month and a half at most. If you weigh the peice every few days it will eventually stop loosing weight, once its stopped loosing weight for about a 3rd of the time its been drying then you should be right.

There is more chance of warping and checking using this method but it is possible and i do it quite a bit.

[Gumbob]

Just a word of warning if you decide to use Yew. ALWAYS wear a dust mask it can be very harmful.

On the plus side it looks great when finished.

HTH.........Ian

[addo]

Im rather fond of yew. I left mine to season as a large stem for a few years, before use but if you rough out the handles then leave under cover outside for a few weeks/months all should be well.

[bhofmann]

Just a note on how pretty Yew is when freshly worked and finished. After a few years of exposure to light the wood will become considerably darker until it is chocolate brown and has lost a lot of the beauty it once had.

[Whittler Kev]

Just found this about different sawn woods identified if you're interested
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/
Only problem.....loads to look at