I hope I am posting this in the correct forum.
I’ve been lurking around here for a little while, and I’ve searched the forums for an answer to this question, but I haven’t found anything specific, so I thought I’d ask myself. You all seem to have a wealth of knowledge and experience, so maybe someone has some advice for a newbie like me.
Little back story, I am brand new to knife making. I’ve collected knives for years and just recently decided to try my hand at making them. I started with a cheap, Amazon-special kit knife and thoroughly enjoyed it so I began ordering various scale materials and blade blanks online. I’m only doing some basic scale stock removal and shaping, mostly with a set of files and sandpaper (though I do have a cheap 1x30 belt sander on the way to get my feet wet.) Maybe one day I’ll try my hand at forging, but that’s years away. Two jobs and a toddler mean very little free time for hobbies.
Anyway, about two years ago we felled a huge water oak that my grandfather planted just before being drafted to WWII. It had grown to about 10 feet in diameter and was just too big and too close to the house. I salvaged a couple logs with the intentions of having them milled and make some type of furniture out of them. That free time is elusive, though, and the logs have been sitting in the yard since. Recently I thought, how great would some handmade knives be for family for Christmas presents made from Pop’s old tree? I know water oak is not typically a go-to for knife scales. But the sentimental value here far outweighs the aesthetics. Although, this giant 80 year old oak does have some pretty interesting grain patterns. They would be camp knives, kitchen knives, and possibly a fillet knife or two. Likely wouldn’t get much use as they would be keepsakes. But who knows?
I cut the end off one of the logs yesterday and the meat is good. It looks healthy-as healthy as a tree that’s been on the ground for two years can be.
My question is, am I wasting my time thinking I could get this wood dried out enough to start making some handles by the end of the summer? Has anyone had any luck with drying wood out fairly quickly and what did you do? I’ve seen the oven and microwave discussions, but this wood isn’t completely green. It’s been sitting for two years, though it’s been out in the elements.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
John
I’ve been lurking around here for a little while, and I’ve searched the forums for an answer to this question, but I haven’t found anything specific, so I thought I’d ask myself. You all seem to have a wealth of knowledge and experience, so maybe someone has some advice for a newbie like me.
Little back story, I am brand new to knife making. I’ve collected knives for years and just recently decided to try my hand at making them. I started with a cheap, Amazon-special kit knife and thoroughly enjoyed it so I began ordering various scale materials and blade blanks online. I’m only doing some basic scale stock removal and shaping, mostly with a set of files and sandpaper (though I do have a cheap 1x30 belt sander on the way to get my feet wet.) Maybe one day I’ll try my hand at forging, but that’s years away. Two jobs and a toddler mean very little free time for hobbies.
Anyway, about two years ago we felled a huge water oak that my grandfather planted just before being drafted to WWII. It had grown to about 10 feet in diameter and was just too big and too close to the house. I salvaged a couple logs with the intentions of having them milled and make some type of furniture out of them. That free time is elusive, though, and the logs have been sitting in the yard since. Recently I thought, how great would some handmade knives be for family for Christmas presents made from Pop’s old tree? I know water oak is not typically a go-to for knife scales. But the sentimental value here far outweighs the aesthetics. Although, this giant 80 year old oak does have some pretty interesting grain patterns. They would be camp knives, kitchen knives, and possibly a fillet knife or two. Likely wouldn’t get much use as they would be keepsakes. But who knows?
I cut the end off one of the logs yesterday and the meat is good. It looks healthy-as healthy as a tree that’s been on the ground for two years can be.
My question is, am I wasting my time thinking I could get this wood dried out enough to start making some handles by the end of the summer? Has anyone had any luck with drying wood out fairly quickly and what did you do? I’ve seen the oven and microwave discussions, but this wood isn’t completely green. It’s been sitting for two years, though it’s been out in the elements.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
John
but if it sat for two years outside it won't be nearly as bad as if was completely green. If you want to do it fast and are going to stabilize it, take a block that you are willing to risk and put it near (but not directly on or next to) to a source of heat in your home and see how it reacts, give it a couple of weeks.