Knife suggestion

[gmww]

First here is the story to help you make a suggestion. An uncle of one of my hunting buddies lived in Co. He was in the era where you were taught never to throw things away cause you can always find a use for it later. Anyways, one of his many past occupations was outfitter guide.

He graciously allowed me to come hunt his property for elk. Fact is I shot my first elk on his mountain side property. I was sadly informed that after a year of fighting a crippling disease he passed away 3 months ago. On my last visit to his property I saw that his aspen trees had the big bulbous things sticking out of them. I figured it might be cool to cut a sample, dry it out and make a knife handle from it.

I'm thinking that I'd like to make two knives from them. One for my hunting buddy to remember his uncle by and one for me of course. Here are the photos of the cut wood. It's pretty soft but what the heck.

I usually purchase one of those knives you can buy online and add my own wood, bone, etc. Any ideas on what style of knife I might consider for this project. I included a scale to show size. As you can see some of the wood will not be usable.

 

[RickD]

Should make for some interesting handles

 

[paulvallandigham]

Aspen is one of the family of trees also known as Cottonwood, and Poplar. Its one of the softer " hard woods" growing in America, and it grows fast. As long as those chunks are dried properly so they don't check, you may be able to get some interesting looking wood out of them for handles. I don't know how well it will take stain, however. A lot of poplar has a greenish hue to the wood.

As for style of blade, I suggest you check some of the on line catalogues of the suppliers, including knife blade suppliers, and also general ML suppliers, like Dixie GW, Track, Log Cabin, Cains, Crazy Crow, etc. Knives are working tools, and if you are going to bother to make a knife by crafting a unique wood handle, you will want to use it. Pick something that you know you can and will use, so you carry it everywhere you carry a knife, and have the joy of seeing your own work every day.

 

[Nifeman]

You are undertaking a noble endeavor. If you'd like you could make a Nessmuk style blade and handle it in that aspen burl.
If you want email me and I could send you a pattern of one that I produce.
Once again, good on you for doing this...Bud

 

[gmww]

That is quite the knife. I just googled it. I'll PM you.

 

[laffingman67]

Very nice burl! I'm thinking that there may be a place you can send the wood to have it stabilized. I think :hmm: that they impregnate the wood with an epoxy to do that. I'm not sure though...could be just :bull:

That is a very nice momento to a fallen comrad. :hatsoff:

I think a Nessmuk style skinner would be a good idea as well. :hmm:

 

I'm thinking that there may be a place you can send the wood to have it stabilized. I think that they impregnate the wood with an epoxy to do that. I'm not sure though...could be just

While I will not use stabilized wood on period knives in this case I would HIGHLY recommend having it done. WSSI is one of the best[url] http://www.stabilizedwood.com/wssi.shtml[/url]

 

[gmww]

Thanks guys I like the idea of stabilizing the wood. Never thought I could have that done. :thumbsup:

 

[gmww]

Thanks Nifeman I got you latest email. I'm really looking forward to working with those knives. The photo looks better than I thought. I wasn't familiar with that style of knife and googled it. I saw several photos and I like how you made yours. I also googled Nessmuk to get the history of the man it was named after.
George Sears Biography.

It's ironic in the sense that Bruce the man I'm building the knife together in memory of was also a small in stature. George Sears was approximately 5'. Despite Bruce's size, he was a large man in spirit and heart. The history of the knife will honor him well. :thumbsup:

I'll keep you posted in photos as I put them together.