Spalted maple hollow grind from OCD

Here's another one I made for me(I know you don't like when I say that). I have actually been working on this one for a while.
the blade: no problem
the scales: major headache
I got a couple pieces of spalted Maple from a forum user (who has since got banned, thanks for the wood).
no matter what I tried or what substance I glued them to, BIG warpage. I tried G-10, micarta, oak. It wasn't until all I had left was paper thin veneer that I glued to some Lyptus wood.
Then I wanted a nice clear and THICK finish. so I went with Mirror Coat bar top finish. Supposed to be a one-step process. So, three tries later I 've got it down. so here she is:
8/8 full hollow spike point fore and aft. Beveled spine with a little file work and jimps top and bottom.
And needless to say, those pain in the keester scales (which the photos don't even begin to show the depth of the finish) and spacer from a piece of antique formica that I got from Drac in Dallas.

as always, thanks for looking
Bob @ OCD Razors

Stunning! The scales may have been a pain but wow... clearly it was worth it!

That is some pretty fancy grinding and a beautiful razor. Time to send it north for testing.

Charlie

That is a really nice piece you have there. I posted earlier today about warping on some spalted hackberry I'm working with. Gorgeous stuff it is but holy crap it really is a pain to work with.

Cool blade, stunning scales for sure, Enjoy!

Those scales were worth the effort mate. They're spectacular
Grant

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Originally Posted by spazola

That is some pretty fancy grinding and a beautiful razor. Time to send it north for testing.

Charlie

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They'll be waiting on you for your next visit!!!!!!

I think those are the best looking wood scales I've seen yet. Well worth the effort, IMHO. Was the wood stabilized? If Jonah sees this, same question. I'm looking in to stabilizing wood, and I hope warping is not going to be a problem. I've got some spalted sycamore ready when I get the vacuum tank set up - in sizes for scales, brushes and knife handles.

I really like the scales, but the blade....it's my dream blade soooo nice!

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Originally Posted by skipnord

I think those are the best looking wood scales I've seen yet. Well worth the effort, IMHO. Was the wood stabilized? If Jonah sees this, same question. I'm looking in to stabilizing wood, and I hope warping is not going to be a problem. I've got some spalted sycamore ready when I get the vacuum tank set up - in sizes for scales, brushes and knife handles.

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Very much NOT stabilized

Bob that is one great looking razor my friend. The scales alone have grabbed my eyes lets not get started on that amazing chunk of 8/8 steel with that clean looking grinding work going on. I agree with CL you should send it on a world tour East to West :) Nice work man

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Originally Posted by PLJ

Bob that is one great looking razor my friend. The scales alone have grabbed my eyes lets not get started on that amazing chunk of 8/8 steel with that clean looking grinding work going on. I agree with CL you should send it on a world tour East to West :) Nice work man

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East to West...how about North of the boarder!!!...and that's about not aboot!

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Originally Posted by boballman

Very much NOT stabilized

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I'm in the same boat as well, mine wasn't stabilized.

Nice work, Bob! Looks GREAT! I had a few rounds with the bartop stuff myself a while back! Found I needed to stir it about 4 times longer than recommended! :p Tell ya what! I will trade ya for some Texas sausage?? :rofl2:

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That is one beautiful razor Bob. The scales are amazing and reflect your blood sweat and tears over the wood. Stunning straight.

OK, so now we know, thanks to Bob and Jonah, that unstabilized spalted wood is prone to warping. If there is anyone out there who is into stabilizing wood, can you answer the question, "Is stabilized, spalted wood prone to warping?" My guess is no, since the stabilizing material is essentially heat catylized plastic - but that is an uneducated guess, at this point. I hope there is someone that can weigh in on this. Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by skipnord

OK, so now we know, thanks to Bob and Jonah, that unstabilized spalted wood is prone to warping. If there is anyone out there who is into stabilizing wood, can you answer the question, "Is stabilized, spalted wood prone to warping?" My guess is no, since the stabilizing material is essentially heat catylized plastic - but that is an uneducated guess, at this point. I hope there is someone that can weigh in on this. Thanks in advance.

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stabilized wood is rock solid:hmmm: and easy to work with. I love it. Sometimes you don't even need to put a finish on it if you sand it well and have a good buffer. Always wear a respirator.

Bob

Bob,

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

Tell me more about using the Formica for the wedge... I'm assuming it was a through bodied laminate? Or, did you have to sand down the backside/grey side? I've worked with laminate quite a bit, but never thought to use it for making a wedge.

What a great idea!

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Originally Posted by crouton976

Bob,

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

Tell me more about using the Formica for the wedge... I'm assuming it was a through bodied laminate? Or, did you have to sand down the backside/grey side? I've worked with laminate quite a bit, but never thought to use it for making a wedge.

What a great idea!

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I know absolutely nothing about the formica. I might even have that wrong. My friend Drac gave me 2 small pieces, one off white with a very thin red laminate down the middle and the other black. he said they were over 50 years old. the white looked like paper micarta and is about 1/8" thick. It was just a scrap I used as a spacer because I liked the red layer. Drac works with big computer foe the phone company, so I assumed this was some salvage from old equipment
Bob

Well, either way, you have given me inspiration on a cool material for the wedge, and I hope that my work will turn out as beautiful. Cheers, and I hope to one day be able to own one of your fantastic works of art and beauty.

Bob, very tidy. I really like the little ground facets. And the scales look spectacular. The whole package is great. I have to say this has to be my favourite one of your razors to date.
Well done.

Stu