purchasing stabilized scales?

[kansas stik man]

I have completed two knives now and the wood for both looks good but split out a little bit when drilling holes for the pins and after the knife is done the scales shrink down smaller than the (full) tang.  i want to avoid this in the future and as far as i know stabilized wood or antle or horn is the only way to avoid shrinkage, cracking , swelling and anything else wood decides to do.  long story short i am looking for a good place to purchase stabilized blocks or scales.  and is acrylic or non acrylic process better?  i learn more and more every day thanks to all the great advice on TG.   thanks guys.

[skullworks]

The auction website is where I get most of my stabilized wood.

[TheBigRedArcher]

You could also try this.

 http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials_hints_tips3.htm

I have not tried it... but maybe it will work for you.

TBRA

[skullworks]

Wood hardener will work only on the outside part of the wood. Not much penetration in my experience. I have seen guys do their own stabilizing but they have full vacuum systems.

[wissler]

I have bought from these guys a couple of times for some projects. Great prices and good stuff.
 http://woodstabilizer.com/

[Ragnarok Forge]

I gotta say here that a lot of "Stabilized Wood" is not stabilized at all.  It is a selling gimmick.  You cannot coat the outside of the wood and call it stabilized.  Stabilized wood has one form or another of material that is drawn into and fully through the wood grain.  The only wood I personally consider stabilized is the stuff that is vacuum treated with a plasticized material.  It is impervious to weather, water, sun, etc....  If you cannot find good stabilized wood you can have your wood treated.  I like to use Cocabolo, or other heavy oil woods with an oil based sealant on the wood surface.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Homemade stabilizer vacuum plans

 http://chriscrawfordknives.com/#/mason-jar-stabilizer/4535517970

Gonna make one and see what happens.

[skullworks]

Kansas Stik Man...PM me your address and I'll send you some stabilized wood. Might be dyed or something, I know I have some green dyed Sycamore. Just some I have that I don't plan on using. If you are interested that is.

[kansas stik man]

well if not stabilized wood , what can i do to make sure my wood and tang are smooth and even with each other? the wood always ends up being a little smaller when im done.