Black Palm wood will benifit from stabilization. But it has been sought after and used for many more years than than Stabilizing has been around.
Yes it does tend sand uneven even more if not Stabilized and that makes a very hard to sand.
Backing with sandpaper with leather helps with this wood Stabilized or Not with this wood and many others.
I love the stuff and so do My customers.
Go ahead and get it stabilized, I do. Then you have a very rich looking & Durable Handle that really turns some heads!
WOW what's that? Is the most common type statement from people that see it finished on a Handle.
The Irony is that this stuff has a lot of natural sand in it from the ocean & beach tropical environment it grows in.
Use sharp belts at slower speeds and leather backing for all but the last passes with Sandpaper. It's right up there with Ironwood as a Bandsaw blade burner & belt clogger/killer.
Here are some pic's of a Black Palm Handle on a knife a did a couple of years back.
If you wish to trade or sell a block or two please let me know? Especially if it's Quarter-Cut!
That's some of my very favorite Handle Material. I send mine to WSSI or K & G for Stabilization.
Cheer's and enjoy!
Laurence
www.rhinoknives.com/