Juniper wood

N

Natlek

Joined
Jun 9, 2015
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I just came back from four-day fishing. Fifteen years I pass by this tree and I know it's dead at least last fifteen years. I cut a piece and here's what it looks like ... I love how it s smell :)I will use this wood for scale but my question is it good/strong enough / for hidden tang ? I like to use domestic wood . . .

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Juniper is tough stuff, but it's still a "soft wood"...I think I'd probably try to have it stabilized.
 
my 2 cents- if i can press my thumbnail into the wood and see or feel a depression, i do not consider it dense or tough enough for a handle. stabilizing will make it useable if it does not pass the test.
 
Hardwood and softwood are misleading descriptions. Hardwoods have leaves, softwoods have needles. Of course the softwood fir is harder than the hardwood poplar.
 
Amen to what Warren said, I can tell you from experience that old Juniper like that makes an excellent handle-I stabilize all my own stuff in Cactus Juice and I would do that to the block of Juniper you plan to use--again from experience, I have had good luck using Cactus Juice--I am pretty anal about my process-I keep under pressure for 3 days where there are absolutely no bubbles even when shaken, and then I leave the piece under weight submerged for another two or three days and then wrap it up in foil and bake it for 4 hours, 2 at 135 then 2 at 225. I have had good luck with all different types of wood--I have had various success dying with colors in the cactus juice. Good luck with your Juniper, I think it should make you happy.
 
Thanks for helping guys .I have no place here / Macedonia/ where to send wood for stabilization , but I think that I can do it alone .I have friend who has powerful vacuum pump and I have powerful air compressor too . . . .. But only place I can bye liquid for stabilization is Austria .....something like Jatapol WR90 ? Have no idea is it good ? I have another question if you don't mind . This juniper is cut about 30 centimeters above the roots . Rest of wood is bent almost as a letter O and I wonder if there is better wood ? I can cut that next time I go there ? The roots come literally from the vertical rock and that place almost never see the sun . Does that affect the quality of wood? I Can find another tree that grows in the sun?
 
Most likely the trees that grow in the shade will be harder, as there will be less "spring growth" between the growth rings. The "late growth" rings tend to be more dense.
 
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