Knife Scales

[IdahoCurt]

Hi all,just started to offer stabilized wood for the knife makers here on tradgang.
Please take a look and pm with suggestions to help get what you guys need.
Thanks very much.
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=48&t=002386

[Track]

Nice Curt. I'll be in touch when I'm ready for some myrtle scales.

[gudspelr]

Those look nice, Curt. Any plans to carry blocks for hidden tangs along with the scales?

Jeremy

[wissler]

How about some stabilized Yew?
You gotta have some of that wicked stuff still.

[IdahoCurt]

gudspeir & wissler.
Those are great ideas,can you tell me what size blocks will work best?
  I can do just about anything and have lots of beautiful wood saved to make into scales/blocks.
The stabilized Yew is a great idea,never occurred to me.I will stabilize some this week.
Please keep the suggestions coming so I can get you guys the best scales
Thanks.

Edit:
Didn't realize I was breaking a forum rule for cross linking,sorry about that,won't happen again.

[D.Ellis]

I like blocks to be 5 inch long by 1.5 x 1" which is fairly standard. Will sometimes be able to use smaller blocks but I seldom need them bigger. Guys who do more dramatic sculpted handles will need somewhat bigger for bowies etc
Pretty looking wood.
Darcy  

[IdahoCurt]

Thanks Darcy for the input.

[gudspelr]

So you're doing the stabilizing yourself? Can you share the processes you're using and any test results. Not meaning to sound bad or anything, just a lot of different methods and products being used out there.

Jeremy

[IdahoCurt]

Gudspeir,Just sent a pm.

[lilbobby]

I ordered 1 set of each from Curt and this is beautiful stuff. Received them in less than a week also. Thanks Curt!

[kbaknife]

After making knives for 17 years, I feel obligated to offer my opinion on handle material.
Some of it may seem a bit condescending, but is not meant to be that way.
1.)A person can make something small out of something big. Not the other way around. If I want to make a bowie with some drop to the handle, I need a 2" wide block. I will go to the supplier who has 2" blocks. The guy who only stocks 1.5" blocks won't do business with me. It takes very, very little more material to make material wider when you cut it up.

2.) As soon as you cut material up into scales, you lose me as a customer. (As well as a TON!! of other makers.) I build 95% hidden tang knives.

3.) I find no reason for a handle material supplier to only supply scales. If a person/maker/etc. can not cut up a block of wood into scales himself, then he has not got a clue of how to build a knife and you don't need him as a customer in the first place.

Synopsis - Sell and provide BIG BLOCKS!!
Keep it simple.

[IdahoCurt]

Lilbobby,Thanks for the kind words and business.

Kbaknife, 2"blocks are not a problem,what length and thickness?
I'm new at knife making and need to realize what I use isn't necessarily What you guys want,Ha!
Thanks for the input.