Apple wood for handles?

Phil705

Phil705

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
360
My Bro. in law gave me some apple burl, thinking it would make for interesting knife scales. Nothing on search. I would stabilize if it is a wood that will not check, warp, and crack. Thoughts??
 
Since there's an orchard right down the road I use it all the time in my smoker :-), but something tells me if it were any good for scales or other such things we'd have seen it?

Mike
 
It might be a little soft for folder scales....subject to marring, etc. If I used it for a scale or handle I'd be sure to polyurethane it several coats for protection.
 
For what it's worth, the US military actually specified Applewood for the handles of the Corpsman bolo. Odd choice, but it seems to survive well. Applewood burl is actually quite pretty on the right pattern.
 
Fruit woods have fine grain and if you look for it some nice patterns . Stabilize and it should last forever .
 
I have a puukko made for me with a Apple Wood handle that i have used a lot, no problems so far, and pretty sure it is not stabilized. John
 
I have a billhook handle I made from apple wood and it's held up fine under hard use. I don't have a highly polished finish on it or anything, though.
 
If you can use a stabilised corn cob why not apple burl ;) If the pattern is nice it's probably worth it. I've seen plain apple wood on carving knives but it's just a bit boring. I've also come across pear burl wood for scales and pens, it may be similar.
 
Gerber used apple wood on kitchen knives in the early 1980s. I have a couple that have held up fine. The finish is glossy.
 
Don't know if you guys saw that he said applewood burl, not just applewood.
 
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