J & J (James-n-Jim):
I have every idea that Thuya will get the nod..."BUT"...remember that there are "always" new crew members when we do these builds. Even though the flow is leading towards Thuya Burl, we still need to keep the new folks in mind. Even if it is just a reminder to most of us all of this is, indeed, instructive and educational to new blood.
When I started the builds it was my intention for them to answer questions, often ahead of time, that folks might be thinking about. I cannot remember how many members have contacted me to say that they really appreciated the knowledge that they had gained through the builds.
It was for the very same reason that I started the "Ordering Questions" thread. God knows, with over a million views, that bad boy has helped a few along their Randall way!
Best, Capt. Chris

Of course Captain Chris, and I am all in on anything we come up with... And the knowledge I have gained in just a year from these builds has been both fun and invaluable. I love it, it's the best part of the forum.


I am just saying, and REALLY it's hard to argue against... the Captains Stash is basically Pandora's box... toss it out there and there is NO resistance!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Captain, got any nice Buckeye Burl?

What mystery Wood might you have Capt? Does teak make for a good handle material? Eric

I'm down for the Thuya.

As a newer guy, I definitely appreciate the these build threads and the information that comes to light in them.

One of the things that's really hard for me to understand is how wood will actually look based on the variations I have seen within each type. Its why I vote micarta a lot. I know that some grades of wood are marked presentation, and its pretty clear that anything will burl will have character, but it seems like wood will give a wide range of results, even within the same type.

I remember looking at all the nice woods the Captain offered up in the CC build, and in particular the spalted pecan that was selected came out even more awesome than I thought it would.

When ordering with wood, even special supplied wood, does everyone just hope for the best?

Thuya, yeah buddy!

Pap

Stash

Jay, kudos for thoroughly considered and well expressed posting. As a new guy myself, I join in your appreciation for the build threads and I share your concerns and questions about wood handles.

In addition to "hoping for the best" appearance wise (and I'd venture that even customer supplied wood does not always turn out as expected or desired), how durable are wood handles on user knives?

Micarta seems almost indestructible and has been my handle material of choice for a knife that I intend to use.

Wood, while vastly more beautiful and appealing on many levels, seems to present a risk of denting, chipping or splitting.

Are these appearance and durability concerns unfounded? What say you more experienced RMK collectors (and users)?

I have no problems with stabilized wood on a user.
I have dropped them & I am very rough on my users.
I am harder on the blade than the handle......if your handle gets dinged up then your hand wasn't on it.
Meaning the only time that the handle can get damaged is when it's in the sheath. I have shoved a pool table around with my hip with a 19 on it & it's fine.
Hope I answered your question.