Capt. et al

I was just talking to Greg Gutcher and he said the wood I thought was Ebony, is in fact Ebony. Greg had talked to GTR about different colors of Ebony. There are in fact, as mentioned, different types/species of Ebony. As well on a tree, the dark wood is on the outside and as you work your way towards the middle the wood becomes black and "white/light" and in the middle it is very light. According to "the Shop" the very light/inner wood is too soft for knife handles.

There you go, Ebony 101.

Capt Chris,

I have to agree with Tony. I too am partial to the olive wood as something different, though I also like the thought of the Redwood Burl that Tom mentioned. I think either one of these would make great looking unique knife handles.

Scott

I wood be interested in Walnut.
My only example is far from perfect, but I've seen really beautiful ones.

If not Walnut, I'd vote for Cocobolo. It has all the features I like. It is durable, polishes very nicely and comes in very attractive patterns and textures.
The only drawback is: It's not exactly rare on a Randall...

Best, Peter

I just re-read this entire thread and there's a lot of different opinions. Over 19 types of woods...and variations on those 19. A hell of a list. How about this:

* I would like anyone interested in a possible build, using an exotic wood for the handle, to vote for their favorite (3) types of wood. I will add them all up and whittle them down to a few choices (probably 3 or 4) for all of us to vote on. As a reminder: This is the list thus far. You may choose from these or any other you have a preference for:

*California buckeye burl
*Koa (curley or other)
*Maple(spalted, quilted, flame, bird's eye or curly)
*Mahogany
*Olivewood
*Cocobola(Brazilian rosewood)
*Babinga (or Bubinga)
*Walnut (English, Black French, Circassian, etc.)
*Redwood (burl or others)
*Snakewood
*Teak
*Ironwood (various)
*Sycamore(spalted or otherwise)
*Thuya Burl
*Camphor Burl
*Amboyana
*Leopard Lace
*Ringed Gidgee
*Ebony
*Macassar ebony

Good luck!! Best, Capt. Chris

My choices are:

1. Ringed Gidgee
2. Olivewood
3. Thuya

I think I was the one that brought up Camphor wood as an option. But after searching the internet and phoning wood distributors, I have not been able to find a piece that is large enough for a handle for a RMK. It would be one of my three picks, if I could find some, but I do not think it is doable right now.

Cap

My three favorite from the above list are as follows:

Ringed Gidgee
Olivewood
Snakewood

Scott

Thanks Cap!
My 3 choices are ...
*Olivewood
*Ringed Gidgee
*Amboyana
Tony

I vote for the following three

Ringed Gidgee
Ironwood (various)
Olivewood

Thanks

Peter

I like Koa, Macassar ebony and teak.

Dan Snyder
RKS #5537
SHAG #010

My choices would be

Ringed Gidgee
California buckeye burl
Redwood (burl or others)

I was talking with a local supplier of exotic woods; he is also a talented knife maker and engraver. I mentioned I would be interested in purchasing some ringed gidgee pieces to be made into Randall knives, he showed me what he considered to be exhibition grade wood but suggested as this was a special project some pieces from his reserve stock might be more appropriate and will be sending me photographs. I intend to have some Randall’s made up in Gidgee regardless of the result of this build so don’t let my story influence your choice, besides I’m just as keen to have a Randall in California buckeye burl or Redwood burl