Aromatic woods

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

 

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

 

Cedar?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

@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?)

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Beautiful stuff!

 

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

 

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