What does the term, stabilized wood mean and burl?
- Thread starter Big D1
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Stabilizing is a proccess of infusing the pores and grain structure of wood with one of several differant chemicals. This basically turns the wood into a plastic. Untreated wood will over time shrink, expand, swell, absorb water, darken, crack, check, warp, and do many other nasty things. Stabilized wood will stay just as it was on the new knife.
Burl is a term meaning that the wood has a swirling grain stucture. This normally occurs where the grain structure branches off, such as in crotch sections and root structures. Below is an example of a burled wood.
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=54323961&Sequence=0&res=high>
Burl is a term meaning that the wood has a swirling grain stucture. This normally occurs where the grain structure branches off, such as in crotch sections and root structures. Below is an example of a burled wood.
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=54323961&Sequence=0&res=high>
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ok, other makers/collectors are welcome to add to this, or correct me, . Stabalized woods are woods, that have been injected under presure with an acrylic or other like substance. the pressurized injection forces it into all the spaces in the wood, making into basically ( though not literally) a pieces of plastic, with a wood grain. this greatly increases its durability, and restitance to atmospheric change. they can also add dyes when they stabilize, adding all sorts of colors. the one unfortunate sideeffect of stabilizing, is that it can change the color of the natural wood ( obvioulsy the dye does that, im refering to "clear" stablizing)
. As ive always understood it a burl is basically a "grwoth" on the tree, most commonly in the root/base trunk area. although naturallly occuring, not all trees have it. it is this strange growth that gives it its color and figure
hope this helps, check a good wood finishing book they usually have explanations of the types of woods
. As ive always understood it a burl is basically a "grwoth" on the tree, most commonly in the root/base trunk area. although naturallly occuring, not all trees have it. it is this strange growth that gives it its color and figure
hope this helps, check a good wood finishing book they usually have explanations of the types of woods
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If I'm not mistaken, the thing about burls is that they are very dense as compared to the non-burled part of the tree. That is why they are sought after for materials such as pipe bowls and knife handles.
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again others are welcome to add/correct, but a spalted piece of wood is wood that started to rot, but then for whatever reason stopped, leaving the color, adn figure, w/o damaging the wood too much (ie its still servicible)
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Big D1,
It's all in the eyes
This wood actually has REAL eyes!! See that one lookin' atcha
Neil
EDIT: PS this wood is called california buckeye burl. It's from Wood Stabilizing Specialists International. Mike always has some HOT looking wood in stock and will also stabilize customer supplied wood.
It's all in the eyes
This wood actually has REAL eyes!! See that one lookin' atcha
Neil
EDIT: PS this wood is called california buckeye burl. It's from Wood Stabilizing Specialists International. Mike always has some HOT looking wood in stock and will also stabilize customer supplied wood.
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Yep, you got it right. Spalting refers to the black lines running though certain types of wood (maple is one of the more common). It occurs when the wood starts to rot. The spalting is caused by fungus. There are many types of fungus that can do some very neat things to wood. Two of which are spalting and blue stain. To name any more I would have to run out to the shop and dig out my old college wood tech books, and I just got home from walking around Disneyland so I ain't about to run anywhere .
The bad thing about rotted wood is , well its rotted. Last big chunk of spalted maple I got was so bad that I could crush it with my hands. It must be stabilized to make it usable. After stabilizing the stuff is fantastic.
You also need to remember that wood gets its strengh from its grain structure. The straighter and tighter the grain the stronger the wood. Since burls have grain that runs wild throught with no real eveness, it is actually alot weaker then even say pine. Density has very little to do with how strong wood is.
.The bad thing about rotted wood is , well its rotted. Last big chunk of spalted maple I got was so bad that I could crush it with my hands. It must be stabilized to make it usable. After stabilizing the stuff is fantastic.
You also need to remember that wood gets its strengh from its grain structure. The straighter and tighter the grain the stronger the wood. Since burls have grain that runs wild throught with no real eveness, it is actually alot weaker then even say pine. Density has very little to do with how strong wood is.
Thanks to all that has posted to this topic. It has been very informative. Also, I learned what spalted meant.
Dr.Lathe, it really does look like an eye. That is neat looking.
This is a question directed at custom makers. Do any makers here make wood handles out of presentation walnut? I guess you can call me a sucker for beautiful walnut. Big D1
Dr.Lathe, it really does look like an eye. That is neat looking.
This is a question directed at custom makers. Do any makers here make wood handles out of presentation walnut? I guess you can call me a sucker for beautiful walnut. Big D1
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D1, I am a fan of wood handles also and an amateur wood carver. Burled wood comes from an infected part of some trees that grows into a large ball like structure with lots of compact swirling grain. Only some types of trees will form burls, like maple, walnut, cherry, etc.
Wood has to have a high sugar content to support the fungus that creates the spalting banding patterns. As noted by others, spalted wood can be very fragile if the rotting has gone on too long. I once handcarved a bowl that constantly changed form as I was forced to remove large hunks of worthless wood. Maple is the most commonly found spalted wood species, but it does occur in other woods as well.
Both spalted and burl wood are highly prized by wood turners. Crotch grain is not burled but does make a great table top (or knife handle).
Anyway, you said you were a sucker for walnut, Mastersmith Daniel Winkler made this for me with a walnut burl handle. Most custom makers could make you a knife with stabilized walnut scales. Just ask.
Paracelsus
Wood has to have a high sugar content to support the fungus that creates the spalting banding patterns. As noted by others, spalted wood can be very fragile if the rotting has gone on too long. I once handcarved a bowl that constantly changed form as I was forced to remove large hunks of worthless wood. Maple is the most commonly found spalted wood species, but it does occur in other woods as well.
Both spalted and burl wood are highly prized by wood turners. Crotch grain is not burled but does make a great table top (or knife handle).
Anyway, you said you were a sucker for walnut, Mastersmith Daniel Winkler made this for me with a walnut burl handle. Most custom makers could make you a knife with stabilized walnut scales. Just ask.
Paracelsus
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First off..... Thanks for the mention Greg and Gail!! I miss a lot for some reason when I post from my wife's laptop
Big D1,
I find that wood for knives must have figure that is small enough to look "busy" on a knife handle. Wood that will make a terrific gun stock or piece of furniture might have nice qualities but will be lost on something the size of a knife. When I buy pieces of exotic wood, all but the most highly figured sections go in the fire place!! I save up the rest for stabilizing. When I get ready to ship it off, I make as second cut and send only the wildest looking pieces to be stabilized!!! I learned this after paying for a lot of stabilizing on wood that was just too plane.
Neil
Big D1,
I find that wood for knives must have figure that is small enough to look "busy" on a knife handle. Wood that will make a terrific gun stock or piece of furniture might have nice qualities but will be lost on something the size of a knife. When I buy pieces of exotic wood, all but the most highly figured sections go in the fire place!! I save up the rest for stabilizing. When I get ready to ship it off, I make as second cut and send only the wildest looking pieces to be stabilized!!! I learned this after paying for a lot of stabilizing on wood that was just too plane.
Neil