Howdy all! So since I finished building my new heat treat oven I've been working on some AEB-L chef knives. And I've been cutting some wood to shape for Wa style handles for the knives. I had been planning on using Ebony wood as the bolster material. But when I called down to my local specialty wood supplier and asked how much it would cost, they quoted me a staggering $372 per board foot! This seems absolutely insane. Is this a normal price? And if so, does anyone know of an alternative black bolster material I could use? Thanks in advance everyone!
I have used African blackwood for wa handles at the bolster ends. It was suggested to me by a seasoned woodworker that blackwood tends not to chip along the grain as easily as ebony. I got a block about 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 14" for $30 a few years back from a seller on eBay. I have seen it from time-to-time at Windsor Plywood. Some websites call it "Grenadill" or "Grenadillo." If you are stuck, check on Etsy. "delta art stencils" is offering blackwood at a reasonable price if you factor shipping in. Dan
Thanks for the info Dan! I'll keep an eye out where you suggested, and I'll call into my nearest Windsor to see if they have any kicking around!
I’ve never worked with ebony, but I’ve seen it at Windsor plywood in Winnipeg. Wenge, zircote and Bocote can also be nice options for dark wood. They have a little more figure than ebony.
another name for african blackwood is mozambique ebony.......A and M woods in cambridge ontario is a good source of exotic wood
