Hello everyone,
I am new here, and have never made a knife before, but have turned a LOT of pens, and made a LOT of blanks, specifically for turning projects. I have a vacuum stabilizing set up and a pressure pot for casting, and have done some really interesting things with all kinds of materials. Although I haven't ventured into the knife making world (which I plan to do and am excited to learn), I would like to start casting some materials for knife making, and wanted to get some opinions from knife makers before I start. At this point I'm more interested in making the materials for the knife, than the knife itself.
1. After casting the appropriate size block, I cut it on the bandsaw into a bookmatched set approx. 3/8" thick by 5" each. Now, If I were to give, or sell these for the purpose of knife making, can they be rough cut? or should they be sanded on all sides? Can they be sealed or left natural?
2. For a lot of my pen blank casting, I do not stabilize pieces of burl, unless i feel it significantly reduces the chance of blowing it up on the lathe. For knife makers, do you always prefer all burl or punky woods to be stabilized?
I hope this is the right place for this post, and I would greatly appreciate any feedback!!
Thanks!!!