Recommendation? Wholesale Wood Supplier

Travis Talboys

Travis Talboys

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
431
Greetings everyone,
I am looking for some recommendations on sources for figured wood/burls for handles. I have searched locally, and have found a few options, but I'm still coming up short on the more exotic species. I am fine with having to cut everything down to size, as long as it can be done with normal size tools. If anyone knows of a good source, or if you are a good source, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks in advance,
Travis
 
Greenberg Woods Greenberg Woods
Guy down in Cali that sells quite a bit of wood to folks on here. Check his webpage out. Pretty sure his website is his user name.
 
Hey Travis, cook woods has a good selection of exotic and domestic figured woods, they don’t carry anything stabilized and some thing are not completely dry so you need to ask to be certain, I bought almost 30 blocks of various Aussie burls from them that and knife block sizes but they still need about 6 more months of drying, but when I bought them they were on sale for like 3-5 dollars a block so it was well worth the wait for drying and then paying to have them stabilized. Pops Knife Supply has a good selection of blocks and scales that are dry and ready to use and they have stabilized material as well. Greenberg has some really stunning pieces but you are going to pay for that figure and quality so it depends on what your after as far as something for a good user or a show piece.
 
I would second Cook Woods and Greenberg Woods. I haven't bought from Greenberg but he has an excellent reputation on here.

Another possible source is ArizonaIronwood.com . If you are looking to buy in quantity, they appear to be setup for that. However I haven't bought from them. So I'm only going by what I've read on their website.
 
When you say wholesale, what exactly are you looking for?

Do you want to buy bulk unstabilized wood and do it yourself?

Are you looking to buy 20-50 handle blocks ready to use?

Are you looking to buy 1-5 handle blocks and just want a really good price?
 
Greenberg Woods said:
When you say wholesale, what exactly are you looking for?

Do you want to buy bulk unstabilized wood and do it yourself?

Are you looking to buy 20-50 handle blocks ready to use?

Are you looking to buy 1-5 handle blocks and just want a really good price?
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I'm looking for boards or larger blocks that can be cut down to size. Dried would be nice, but not necessary. I don't need anything stabilized. I'm looking for a source or two that isn't going to charge me for a custom counter top.
 
Travis Talboys said:
I'm looking for boards or larger blocks that can be cut down to size. Dried would be nice, but not necessary. I don't need anything stabilized. I'm looking for a source or two that isn't going to charge me for a custom counter top.
Click to expand...
For larger pieces that are dried but not stabilized, I have used Bell Forest Products.
Nice selection on the website and I was happy with the dimensions, quality, etc.
 
I go to https://www.exoticlumber.com/ at times. They have done well for me, and I get to go in-store.

Similar to others mentioned - not stabilized, not focused on knife makers, and almost everything will require processing to get to the size you want.
 
I am lucky to live near Global Wood Source (https://www.globalwoodsource.com/) and can wander around their warehouse handling lots of odd shaped pieces. But I have learned to appreciate the value of services provided by the professional suppliers. Determining the best orientation to cut up a log for grain appearance is tricky. I have cut up raw hardwood only to find gaps and splits that make most of it unuseable. Ask Greenberg how much waste he has just to get a number of quality blocks. Also wood cracks and warps as it dries; maybe let someone else deal with those risks and time.
 
Gilmer Woods
Cook woods
West Penn Hardwoods
Bell forest Products
Exotic Lumber
Ebay
Your local exotic wood dealer.

If you have a specific need, let Ben at Greenberg Woods know. He will likely make you a deal on unstabilized blocks or boards.
 
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