Question about Spalted wood

[prarieboy]

Hey Guys I would like to use Your knowledge!!!!
What does spalted mean(other than purdie purdie purdie) and what makes it occur.
 Does it need to be treated differntly than other woods? Harder to keep from spliting it? I'm so confused!!! Thanks in advance as always.  

[sticshooter]

I think it's a nice word for ROTTEN! I soak it in ca glue.<><

[WINDTALKER]

Spalting is a fungus that works through the wood Iknow from the carving world that it can be a bit punky if theres alot of it.

[kbaknife]

Here's an example of some spalted maple that i get from a fellow who actually creates this effect.
In his basement, with heat, moisture and time, he creates this desired rotten result.
In actuality, that black line is a barrier created between two dissimilar bacterial armies, who just don't like each other! So, they create that barrier between themselves!
Goofy stuff.
This is also an end-grain cut, and has been stabilized.
His process takes him about a year.
 

[Ray Hammond]

You can find this wood in nature, as well. If you dry it in a hotbox you can then also use the CA or I use a product I get in HD called Wood Hardener..I lay the scales or block in a plastic tray and cover it with the product.

I would think it would be even better if you could do it in a vacuum system to really draw it into the wood.

Karl's piece is one outstanding example. I have also seen it dyed in various colors.

[d. ward]

Ray I used the food saver to vac seal some wood slabs with a little wood hardner in the bag.Be careful not to vacuum the hardner into your food saver filter.It works great and you will see the bubbles comeing out of the wood for a day or so sometimes.Once the bubbles stop the wood is pretty well filled and sealed.Harder wood will take less time to fill.Once treated its hard stuff to sand be hand..bowdoc

[Ray Hammond]

I know. It works great on my grinder...listen, while we are discussing this, I just had a brush with shop dust...could have been a lot worse but you guys wear a respirator and DO INVEST IN A DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM.

A lot of this stuff we use to make knives can be extremely hazardous to your lungs, as well as cause problems with your sinuses.

I just found a nice system, nearly new, on Craig's List for 200 bucks with all kinds of hose and attachments and fittings....

Be careful.

[d. ward]

I got the largest shop vac they sell at H-D.When I bought my sanders and other tool I only  bought tools that have a connections for a shop vac.bd

[prarieboy]

Hey Folks thanks for the good info and the warnings about dust and such.I do wear a respirator and own a huge vacuum.
 Gonna have to go to h-d and get some wood hardener. My son brought Me some pecan from texas.Have not cut it yet will see someday whats inside.
 Any advice on to handle that would be aprecieated too.
 Mr Karl that spalted handled knife is ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!
 You Folks are truely fine to help Us wanna bees. Thanks C-Ya Bob  

[chiger]

Hey prarie,

The guys are right about dote, punk, decay, whatever you call it in wood.  The fungi that causes decay in wood is some amazing stuff.  Even if you sure about the produces you get it from, be sure to seal it well.  All these fungus's needs is a little warmth, food (cellulose/sugars) and air.  Don't give it a chance to get going again.  

Pecan is hickory.  In the hardwood inspectors rule book it says, "...lumber inspector shall make no distinction between hickory and pecan."  Even experience inspectors have a hard time telling the difference.

So to answer your question, it's hard, dense and very long grained/fibrous stuff.  It was among the first exports from the New World back to Europe for that reason.  Hickory/pecan was the reason for the Revolutionary War, not tea!  ;~)

Ok, history lesson over.  It does have a tendency to split and crack as it drys.  So I'd say, cut the pieces 1/4 to 1/3 longer than you need the finished pieces to be.  Seal the end grain well with wax and make sure it's dry before you use it.  It will shrink some as it dries (about 4-5% the best I can remember), but the cracking bit is what will wreck your hard work.  

Hope that's what you're lookin' for.  Hickory/pecan will make a great, very durable handle material.  Lookin' forward to seeing what you do with it.

Oh, and your right.  Karl's work is as good as it gets.  That guy's good!

[prarieboy]

Yes that was a lot of help. Thanks Chiger. Ain't but bout 3 trees in my county. so no local help I'm aware of. C-Ya Bob

[Caveman IL]

How about spalted hackberry?  Too soft?  L

[tippit]

I love the look of spalted wood.  How can I get that fungus to penetrate my paracord  :D  tippit

 

[kbaknife]

Originally posted by Caveman IL:
How about spalted hackberry?  Too soft?  L

If you can find some that looks good enough to use, send it off and have it stabilized.

[kbaknife]

Originally posted by tippit:
I love the look of spalted wood.  How can I get that fungus to penetrate my paracord   :D   tippit
   

Soak it in deer urine.

[LONGBOWKID]

[TxMoon]

Karl   :eek:         I spit hot coffee all over my  key board that is funny as hell!