Curly Maple Knives

I have a fondness for Maple; maybe because it is a species indigenous to the Pacific Northwest.

The following is from the Wood Database:

Curly Maple is not actually a species, but simply a description of a figure in the grain—it occurs most often in soft maples, but is also seen in hard maples. It is so called because the ripples in the grain pattern create a three dimensional effect that appears as if the grain has “curled” along the length of the board. Other names for this phenomenon are: tiger maple, fiddleback maple, (in reference to curly maple’s historic use for the backs and sides of violins), or flamed maple.
Unlike quilted maple, curly maple is most pronounced when the board is quartersawn, and the curls usually become much less pronounced or absent in flatsawn boards. Hence, on wide boards where the grain tends to be close to vertical (quartersawn) near the edges and horizontal (flatsawn) in the center, the curly pattern will be most evident on the edges of the board, with the figure diminishing in the center.


Below are two Caping Knives with Instrument Grade Curly Maple Handles. The handle on the upper knife has been dyed brown. The lower knife shows the natural color.

 I can be contacted by e-mail at baumgartknives@gmail.com

BOTH KNIVES ARE SOLD.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone viewing this blog a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Almost a year ago to the day I completed my first knife. A few minutes ago I epoxied the handles on knife # 18. I have learned a lot between that first knife and the one I am currently working on and hope to continue to learn and improve my knives in the New Year.

I especially want to thank those of you that provided feedback and sent photos. Customer feedback is essential for improving my knives and the photos were just plain enjoyable. Thank you!

Looking forward to 2014, I am planning on adding a flat platten attachment for the grinder, a buffer, and an etcher to my little shop. At some point I would like to make the transition from O1 tool steel to CPM154CM. You should see more Loveless and Herron style knives from me in 2014. Lastly, I am hoping to get some hunting in and shoot a few rounds of international/bunker trap. I haven't been able to do either as much as I would have liked.

Have an enjoyable holiday season.

God Bless,

Lee

Cocobolo Caping Knife

Below is the latest knife, a Cocobolo handled caping knife. I changed the design a little bit by "grafting" the blade of my original caping knife to the handle of the General Purpose knife. I think the lines flow better. I purchased the Cocobolo locally at Gilmer Wood Company. www.gilmerwood.com  They have an extensive selection of exotic hardwoods, to the point that it is almost confusing. I would have a piece of wood in hand, then see something else really nice, put the first piece of wood back, pack the newest piece around, then see something else and repeat the process! Needless to say, I will be purchasing my wood from them in the future.

Cocobolo is a beautiful wood, but because it is so oily I found it very difficult to work. Within three strokes of sanding the handle the sand paper would be completely loaded and not doing much of anything. I think I went through two knives worth of sand paper on this single knife.

This knife is available for $99.00, sheath included. If you are interested I can be reached at baumgartknives@gmail.com

THIS KNIFE IS SOLD.

I also have the same design with a curly Maple handle in progress. The Maple is instrument grade purchased at Gilmer and has tremendous figure. Price will be the same as this one.