Macassar Ebony - Anybody using it ?

[uppercut]

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience using macassar ebony for handle material. www.woodworkerssource.net has some in their closeout section. 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 10-16 " for $1.00 each.

[Ray Rogers]

All the ebony I have used tended to be very dry and had a tendancy towards chipping. But, if you have it stabilized - which I think all wood used in knife handles should be - then it seems to do well enough ........

[uppercut]

Thanks for the heads up . I think I'll pass on it for now.

[Mace]

I used it on one of my first knives....(Trout knife) and I like it a lot. Nice color, nice feel(smooooth!)....Holds up well when wet and is tough, even when kicked around in the bottom of the boat.
The only thing I've noticed is a slight discoloration on the part of the handle were it rests in the pouch sheath. For that price you can't go wrong. Just my 2 cents.
Mace

[GHEzell]

I made 2 knives using ebony a few years back. Both were hidden tang, and I really liked the look and feel of the wood, although it was a bit soft compared to alot of the stuff I've worked with. I finished them with linseed oil and hand buffing. Two weeks later, both had cracked right down the middle.

Definatly have them stabilized.

[Don Halter]

I've used both goboon and macassar ebony. Macassar seems to work more like a rosewood than the black gaboon ebony. I don't have problems in macassar ebony with the cracking and chipping I get with gaboon. I really like the stuff. I soak it in linseed oil, wipe off, let cure, then buff with white rouge. It gets a nice finish.

[mikec]

I haven't used that, but that website is awsome!!! I like being able to see examples of the wood. I know most would need stabalizing, but that site is too cool!

Thanks