With the popularity of bamboo these days as a green alternative to wood, I got to thinking about bamboo for knife handles. Obviously you'd have to stabilize it, but it is strong and tough and even pretty in the right setting. Is anyone doing this? What do you think?
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Bamboo for scales/handles?
- Thread starter wordsmith
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I thought about getting one of those really thin (5-6mm) cutting boards made from bamboo and make them into scales, but didn't know if they would hold up or not (can be had cheap at Ross')
So I'm also interested if this will work or not. Especially how waterproof they would be.
So I'm also interested if this will work or not. Especially how waterproof they would be.
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Bamboo is dense enough that you can't "stabilize" it-nor would it need it.
I figured the extra capillary action you can expect from the grass fibers would be enough of a reason to stabilze, but I could see a penatrating finish like superglue being adequate to "stabilze" the ends... Anyone got any pics of knives they've done or seen with bamboo?
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- Joined
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We've sold stabilized bamboo scales since Blade West in 2006. We've been testing end grain bamboo blocks for about a year.
One of the problems with using cutting boards most of them are not solid. There are holes & dowels inside the board. When you cut a block or are shaping a handle the holes appear. We've found a source for solid bamboo.
Problems with bamboo include splintering and chipping. Use new sharp belts when sanding. Cut the piece oversize and sand to fit.
Bamboo works very well when professionally stabilized. Collectors and customers deserve the best knives you can make. Don't skimp on stabilizing.
We hopefully are introducing a new stabilized bamboo at Blade this year. Stop by our booth to learn more.
Todd Begg helped us test bamboo end grain scales. Here is a picture of Todd Begg's Glimpse with stabilized bamboo inserts:
One of the problems with using cutting boards most of them are not solid. There are holes & dowels inside the board. When you cut a block or are shaping a handle the holes appear. We've found a source for solid bamboo.
Problems with bamboo include splintering and chipping. Use new sharp belts when sanding. Cut the piece oversize and sand to fit.
Bamboo works very well when professionally stabilized. Collectors and customers deserve the best knives you can make. Don't skimp on stabilizing.
We hopefully are introducing a new stabilized bamboo at Blade this year. Stop by our booth to learn more.
Todd Begg helped us test bamboo end grain scales. Here is a picture of Todd Begg's Glimpse with stabilized bamboo inserts:
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What about bamboo flooring? It's already been pressure laminated and is usually over half an inch thick. You can get it in a number of shades and either horizontal or vertical construction (meaning surface or edge of bamboo showing). I've seen it used on several knives and it comes out pretty attractive.