Mesquite wood

[Kev]

Anyone ever use mesquite on a knife handle? It seems pretty hard and the piece I’ve got has some nice coloration.

 

[Randy Lucius]

Anyone ever use mesquite on a knife handle? It seems pretty hard and the piece I’ve got has some nice coloration.

I’ve used it on bolsters and like it very much. I would probably stabilize it before using it. May not need it but wouldn’t hurt.

 

[fitzo]

I'd ask K&G whether it will accept much stabilizer. Robert Hensarling supplied me with mesquite that I attempted to vacuum/pressure impregnate with the flavor of the day home stabilizer in the later '90s, Nelsonite. As thin as it is, I couldn't get that mesquite to accept any noticeable amount of solution.

It certainly can be pretty wood when figured. Dense. Watch the dust.

 

[J. Doyle]

I've made knives with it. I used it unstabilized and would not hesitate to do so again.

It worked and sanded fine with no issues.

Here is one:

 

[Kev]

I've made knives with it. I used it unstabilized and would not hesitate to do so again.

It worked and sanded fine with no issues.

Here is one:

Is that burl? I don’t even know if mesquite will do that? The piece I have is much straighter grained.

 

[J. Doyle]

Is that burl? I don’t even know if mesquite will do that? The piece I have is much straighter grained.

I don't think it was burl...just highly figured. I would think any wood is capable of producing burl/highly figured grain.

 

[Gliden07]

That stuff seems super tuff like Ironwood but not as oily/gummy? Worse case you could always make some BBQ if it didn't work! LOL!

 

[Wayne Coe]

It works well with beef brisket!

 

[jkf96a]

I use mesquite quite often. I tend to send out for stabilization, but have used it unstabilized alot of times as well without complaint.

I will say that there are several varieties. The redder stuff is harder than the tan stuff.