Thread: Purpleheart, Why?

Could someone explain to me the general love for purpleheart as a medium in many things?
I see many razors here made in such and as masterful as they are I guess I just don't get it, but many receive them as being made from the Holy Grail.
I worked as a cabinet maker for many years and although I don't know everything, what I do know is that purple heart was used as a tool, not a finished product.
I see this common in the wood turning world as well. I could sell pieces purely for the fact that they contained this wood (that I usually used as a filler).
I am not criticizing those who use this wood, just trying to get a better understanding of the mindset of the greater good.
I personally own approximately 40 bf of this stuff left and have been toying with the idea of overcoming my own mental blocks and scaling a couple of blades in purpleheart. So I leave this minor conundrum in the hands of my fellow members.

-G

I don't like it either

I take it a step further than you though. I hate scales made from ANY timber, exotic hardwood or not, my preference is for bone, horn, ivory or acrylics.

Originally Posted by Scipio

I don't like it either

I take it a step further than you though. I hate scales made from ANY timber, exotic hardwood or not, my preference is for bone, horn, ivory or acrylics.

I'm not a big fan of wood scales either, but I haven't seen any in person. Maybe someday I'll order a stock of amboyna and try some myself.

Just love the look of horn, bone, ivory, or synthetics over wood.

I don't know much about wood working, so i don't know what you mean when you use purple heart as tool.
I like wood scales on straight razors. I really like the touch and look of it. Purple heart is one of my favorites. It can be polished nicely and the color is great.

Hmmmm,,, Works easy, Finishes easy, Looks good*, holds up to water well naturaly,, yep works for me


* If you like wood and purple hues, there can be no accounting for individual taste...

I love wood in general, and razor scales in wood, definately my taste. I've not had the chance to work much with purpleheart, but it's got many things going for it.

I looked it up on the interweb to get a longer list. So here goes: It has a nice and unusual color. It is light grained, so it is easy to get a nice finish. It is usually straight grained and not too hard to work, altho it can wear your tools a bit. It has high bending and crushing strength, and good stiffness. It is hard and durable, and has good decay resistance.

I'm not really sure what else one could want from a scale material. But of course, at the end of the day it's just wood. Lotsa alternatives

I find wood and steel combination aesthetically appealing, especially mirror finished blades. My favorites are amboyna burl and tambuti, I do like Micarta a lot also.

I really like wood scales, They are what I make most often.
I find the straight grain boring. It offers no challenge to work. Purple isn't my favorite color. I understand that there will be variation in personal tastes, but I can usually see the viewpoint of these tastes. This is one area I feel lost.
I compare this wood to Ipe when I describe my thoughts on it sure it is dense, water resistant, etc, but what is the draw?

As a tool purple heart makes descent jigs for routing as well as skids to set work off of the ground eliminating moisture build up beneath the working stock. This is because of the properties Glen stated above.

BTW for those who are in love with amboyna I also like thuya as an alternative look. I happened across about 40 lb of thuya a while back and just love the look.

-G

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I really like wood scales, They are what I make most often.
I find the straight grain boring. It offers no challenge to work. Purple isn't my favorite color. I understand that there will be variation in personal tastes, but I can usually see the viewpoint of these tastes. This is one area I feel lost.
I compare this wood to Ipe when I describe my thoughts on it sure it is dense, water resistant, etc, but what is the draw?

Speaking as someone who LOVES Ipe I can say, honestly, that it is tough stuff. Darn near indestructible on a knife and is very weather resistant. You can get it pretty cheap in 1 1/2in square blocks, sometimes for free if you know people. Its pretty enough for me, and Im fond of straight grain. I like purple heart too, but not on knives. Purple and knives don't mix IMO. Good for trim and boxes though.

I have an escrima stick made out of purpleheart and I can tell you this. It is hard and durable but it doesn't keep it's purple color as it ages. Mine is a nondescript brown color. I don't know if it is from oxidation or sunlight so I don't know what kind of finish might maintain the color.