Aromatic woods

[JTB_5]

I know that Juniper wood has a lovely peppery smell, but often varies between really intricate grain, even some excellent burl, and rather plain "boxwood" color without much going on.

What other aromatic woods are used on pocket knives, and what kind of smell do they exhibit?

 

[kamagong]

I don't know about pocketknives, but chandan (sandalwood) is sometimes used for khukuri handles.

 

[KellyGlanzer]

Generally aromatic woods are soft and not very durable. The best woods used will be stabilised which will take any natural aroma away.

 

[afishhunter]

Cedar?

 

[Prester John]

Cedar?

Love cedar, but don't recall seeing it on a pocket knife handle.

 

[waynorth]

Cedar is usually too soft!! I've had some lovely Brazilian Rosewood!
Actually does smell like Roses!!
They came with this label, in 2014!!

 

[JTB_5]

I don't know about pocketknives, but chandan (sandalwood) is sometimes used for khukuri handles.

That's something I didn't know. I do like the smell of sandalwood. This website has hardness ratings. Sandalwood scores higher than African Blackwood.

Generally aromatic woods are soft and not very durable. The best woods used will be stabilised which will take any natural aroma away.

That's what I was afraid of.

 

[jsdistin]

That's something I didn't know. I do like the smell of sandalwood. This website has hardness ratings. Sandalwood scores higher than African Blackwood.



That's what I was afraid of.

If you go to the wood database it has hardness, density, and give descriptions including if they have distinct scents.

 

[JTB_5]

If you go to the wood database it has hardness, density, and give descriptions including if they have distinct scents.

Thanks!

 

[Ruukuu]

Best African Blackwood has a chocolate smell. At least when working it.

 

[afishhunter]

Prester John
I'm not sure, but I think I've seen it on old 1700's/1800's fixed blades.
No reason you couldn't put it on a pocket knife.
It might keep the moths and other hungry bugs out of your wool britches and/or union suit?
(and stink prettier than moth balls?)

 

[JTB_5]

According to the Wood Database, Aromatic Red Cedar has a Janka hardness rating of 900, which is pretty soft, but harder than most cedars. Camphor is also aromatic, coming in a 960 on the Janka scale. Brazilian Rosewood has a rose smell when working, but is supposed to fade over time; it's hardness is 2790 by comparison.

 

[jsdistin]

According to the Wood Database, Aromatic Red Cedar has a Janka hardness rating of 900, which is pretty soft, but harder than most cedars. Camphor is also aromatic, coming in a 960 on the Janka scale. Brazilian Rosewood has a rose smell when working, but is supposed to fade over time; it's hardness is 2790 by comparison.

I don’t know much about woodwork but when I’m looking at wood for knife handles I look first at the density before looking at the hardness. The numbers for hardness don’t mean much too me but 1 for density I’d the same as water so closer to or above 1 is pretty dense that to me equals a tough wood seems like you could have wood that is very hard but maybe less dense and it would be brittle and break or splinter easily when peening pins. I don’t have anything to back that up though.

 

[JTB_5]

I don’t know much about woodwork but when I’m looking at wood for knife handles I look first at the density before looking at the hardness. The numbers for hardness don’t mean much too me but 1 for density I’d the same as water so closer to or above 1 is pretty dense that to me equals a tough wood seems like you could have wood that is very hard but maybe less dense and it would be brittle and break or splinter easily when peening pins. I don’t have anything to back that up though.

You may be right, I really have no experience there. I would imagine that density may also help reduce how much the wood shrinks, but that's a shot in the dark.

 

[Txjohn]

American cherry has a sweet aroma when cut .I like to work with it ( casework )

 

[Elgatodeacero]

Genuine Lignum vitae is the best smelling wood, and one of the most durable, super dense and very hard.

It smells like sweet cinnamon spice and nutmeg.

 

[Prester John]

Mesquite is the best smelling wood. But you have to burn it.

 

[Chief]

I've had some lovely Brazilian Rosewood! Actually does smell like Roses!!
They came with this label, in 2014!!View attachment 1366681

Beautiful stuff!

 

[Jiki]

Carve your cedar, don't carve with your cedar.

 

[mrknife]

the recent 86 seersucker wood smells interesting, however i dont think that is natural. i am curious about how use/wear & tear would change that smell