Stabilized Wood

I have a piece of california buckeye burl I want to use for a handel. Does anyone know of a way to stabilize it, like the knife supply places sell. Any ideas you have would help.
Matt
mheller@warren-wilson.edu

Hi Matt. I've had real good luck with Minwax wood hardener. I use a small vacuum system and leave it under vacuum for a few days till all the air is out of it. If you don't have a vacuum system just let it soak in the wood hardener till it sinks to the bottom. This will give satisfactory results. Otherwise, you might want to think about sending it off to one of the companies that do professional stabilizing.

On the other hand, you could go more tribal and soak it in hot cutler's resin or pine pitch until it stops bubbling (a few minutes to a few hours). I use cutler's resin for a final finish so I know it soaks into the wood. I just don't know for sure how 'stable' the hot cutler's resin will make it. It's a touchy subject that you can get lots of opinions on in forums like this. I hope this helps you at least a little.

If it were mine, I'd send it off to WSSI in Iowa, or K&G in Arizona. They both do a fine job, and for about the same price (around $12/lb. finished weight).

Keeping it current.

A friend of mine does it this way.Place a jar of Thompsons Water Seal in the sink and run hot water in the sink till the water seal is the same temp then place the wood in the jar and seal it off tight[screw the lid down] and remove from the hot water.when it quits bubbling it has soaked up all it can.Make sure you leave enough room in the jar for the wood so you dont spill it with an overflow.--Glenn--