Wood knots in stick tang handles?

[TheDandyLion]

I'm working on a knife handle and will be burning the tang into a solid piece of wood. This is just a knife for myself so I'm okay cutting some corners.
My question to you lot, is regarding some Apple wood that I have and adore using for handles, unfortunately the last of it has either been used, turned to kindling, or is covered in knots. Aesthetically I love the look of the twisted grain and knots but I wondered if it would be a bad thing for a knife handle, I know it's frowned upon for axes and the like but this handle won't be under near the shock. What do you think?


Thanks

 

[JTknives]

I have never used wood with knots in it besides what's in a nice figured burl so I can't really comment on that part of it. But I give you a word of caution to burning that handle onto the tang. If I was you I would just drill it over sized and fill it with JB weld. I have seen handles burned on which worked great but usually it involves a wood that will burn easy. If the wood has knots I would think that might hinder you burn. But being that I don't burn in handles or have ever used knotty wood I guess I'm out of advice lol

 

[Lieblad]

I say its a good idea. If you like the wood, do it. I use alot curly birch or curly maple.
If you burn it in, I suggest drilling the bulk of material first then burn. It will go much faster & less overburning.
I tried burning on a few knives, its not worth it for me. I just drill & broach to a semi loose tolerance. Then just epoxy to secure & fill any internal gaps.

 

[TheDandyLion]

I say its a good idea. If you like the wood, do it. I use alot curly birch or curly maple.
If you burn it in, I suggest drilling the bulk of material first then burn. It will go much faster & less overburning.
I tried burning on a few knives, its not worth it for me. I just drill & broach to a semi loose tolerance. Then just epoxy to secure & fill any internal gaps.

Yeah, I always pre-drill before the burn.

 

[TheDandyLion]

I have never used wood with knots in it besides what's in a nice figured burl so I can't really comment on that part of it. But I give you a word of caution to burning that handle onto the tang. If I was you I would just drill it over sized and fill it with JB weld. I have seen handles burned on which worked great but usually it involves a wood that will burn easy. If the wood has knots I would think that might hinder you burn. But being that I don't burn in handles or have ever used knotty wood I guess I'm out of advice lol

I've used the same wood in a couple Moras with the same technique but this knife has a bit thicker stock. I hadn't considered the knots being an issue in the process.

 

[Mahoney]

As long as the knots are sound, and there's no checks (cracks) in the knots or the surrounding wood, it should make a good handle. Finishing may require a bit of extra care, as hard knots sometimes sand away slower than the wood around them, leaving the knot as a slight bump. Use a firm sanding block and this is less likely to happen