Anyone use Camphor Burl as Knife Handles?

logem

logem

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Nov 23, 2003
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I've been considering the use of Camphor burl wood as knife handles for a long time. I really like the burl patterns and the often found reddish tint. Plus I love shaping and grinding wood with fragrance.

Do any of you have experience with using Camphor for knife handles? I'd assume that it would be best to stabilize it, since it's density is not extremely high. (?) Why is it not more prevalent in the knifemaking community?

Thanks,

Mike L.
 
Camphor is a troublesome wood. Its not very hard, but its also full of oil which means it doesnt stabilize very well.
 
Greenberg Woods said:
Camphor is a troublesome wood. Its not very hard, but its also full of oil which means it doesnt stabilize very well.
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I'll have to wait a year or two to find out it's workability since I just bought a really nice looking partially-dried block for less than $20. I'll keep your comments in mind when I get around to working with it. I'm used to working with Snakewood, so I may be able to get around tear-out or splintering issues.

Do you have or ever get really nice looking red heartwood Amboyna Burl? I used to get it from a local knife supply house, but they haven't had it for a while. It is probably my favorite burl. I'd like to see more suppliers selling stabilized Amboyna. Just my 2 cents.

Mike L.
 
I've made a few handles out of it without being stabilized. It does dent easily, but looks absolutely gorgeous. It also smells great while sanding. I haven't had any issues with them yet, but i wouldn't make an extremely heavy use knife out of it.
 
logem said:
I'll have to wait a year or two to find out it's workability since I just bought a really nice looking partially-dried block for less than $20. I'll keep your comments in mind when I get around to working with it. I'm used to working with Snakewood, so I may be able to get around tear-out or splintering issues.

Do you have or ever get really nice looking red heartwood Amboyna Burl? I used to get it from a local knife supply house, but they haven't had it for a while. It is probably my favorite burl. I'd like to see more suppliers selling stabilized Amboyna. Just my 2 cents.

Mike L.
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No Amboyna. Its very difficult to find in good sizes these days. I do get in Australian burls from time to time, and right now Im cutting up some desert ironwood burl.
 
I have used camphor burl before. It took years to dry to a usable degree ... and wasn't a good handle wood. I had some stabilized, and it really wasn't much better. Sure, it smelled good, but that has never been a major knife handle attribute. I don't recommend using it to anyone for knives.

As with a pretty woman you meet at a bar, just because something looks and smells good isn't always a good reason to put up with the other problems it has.
 
Only knife maker I know that had stabilized camphor burl is Chuck Richards, Wood Chuck Forge. Maybe he'll chime in here.
 
I have had a few batches of Camphor Burl stabilized in the past.
The stabilizing improved the hardness a bit. Not a lot of weight gain. Similar to having Oregon Myrtlewood stabilized.
The stabilizing is an improvement but Camphor is not something I would suggest for a hard use knife.
 
I like Camphor Burl because it's very stable in service + very light weight + inexpensive. LOL - Camphor scent smells bad to me, solved that with a painter mask.
 
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