How to stabilise wood for knife handle materials

[@realbroggo]

By far one of the most informative knife videos I have seen in years!! I don't know how old Henry is but his knowledge of wood and stabilising techniques is at master level. I've been into knives for 35 odd years now and while I have used stabilised wood and other organic materials for handles, accents and accessories I had no idea exactly what went into getting such excellent materials right. Thank you so much.

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi again David! Nice to see you back! Henry is definitely one to keep your eyes peeled on! He is a very driven young maker and he is an asset to the knife making community!

[@wombatillo]

Henry's presentation is really good. It's very easy to listen to his explanation.

[@johnsutcliffe3209]

What a great young man. Running a business he's passionate about. What an inspiration to many his age

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for watching again John!

[@uniquegiftpens]

I've stabilized wood before but never stabilised any

[@leesass3602]

I have been using stabilization for wood handle scales for several years now, and never with great results. Thanks to your comprehensive video I am now getting amazing results, full penetration through 38mmx38mm Hard Rock Maple, what a gift thank you very much.

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks Lee! Nice to hear you enjoyed the video and also glad to hear it has helped you! Thanks for being a continued subscriber!

[@trickster552]

I've been buying from Henry for over a year now and have never been disappointed.. it's great to see him being featured in one of your video's Vince

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Richard nice to see you back! Henry is a top maker and we are great to have him in the knife-making community!

[@leonbarnes1402]

great video. henry currently has a pile of wood scales being dyed and stabilised which i sent just before christmas. never met him but he seems to know what hes talking about and this video is great to highlight the process involved.

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Leon thanks for the feedback and happy to hear you are also connected with Henry. He’s a delightful dude and has great passion with what he’s doing! Thanks for watching!

[@thisissoeasy]

Excellent video! Thanks and cheers from Outback Australia...

[@shaungreen679]

this is some good knowledge of how 80% of my handle material is processed

[@UKBladeshow]

Cheers Shaun! Henry is really an absolutely great guy to work with and I know he’s keen on supplying some of the best materials available out there! Thanks for watching mate and speak again soon!

[@beggsforgeworks]

Lovely to see Henry's business grow as much as it has, top lad

[@UKBladeshow]

He is an absolutely top bloke. Thanks for watching!

[@TryptychUK]

A really informative video.. One point, once you get to activating the resin in the oven, many people wrap their blocks tightly in aluminium kitchen foil. This stops any contamination or bleeding from the racks or other blocks, and also keeps your oven clean.(!).

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for the comment and the tip!

[@fgriffintx]

Excellent video - especially the detailed tips that save learning the hard way! One clarification if I may ask: I didn't quite follow your use of the pressure chamber (under pressure). I understood the value of greater capacity, etc., but not clear what the pressurizing step was for. Thanks!

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Frank thanks for the feedback and the question. I believe Henry uses a pressure chamber to further “pack in” more resin in the material = better/harder final product. - Vinz

[@arkas6797]

Αγόρασα μια σταθεροποιημένη σημύδα σε χρώμα μοβ με πιθανή προέλευση τη Ρωσία. Έκοψα το μπλοκ σε ζευγάρι και έφτιαξα ένα μαχαίρι κουζίνας. Το κατά τα άλλα σταθεροποιημένο ξύλο διαστέλλεται περισσότερο από ένα απλό ξύλο. Έχω διορθώσει τη διαστολή δύο φορές σε ένα εξάμηνο. Στο τέλος αφαίρεσα τα σταθεροποιημένα ξύλα και τα αντικατέστησα με Μεχικάνικο cocobolo και ησύχασα. Το cocobolo είναι πανέμορφο, υδρόφοβο, αμετάβλητο σε συστολές και διαστολές και πάνω από όλα είναι αυθεντικό ξύλο.

[@sheffieldknifesharpening]

What a great video! Henry is a legend. Thank you for sharing all of this info.

[@UKBladeshow]

Glad you enjoyed it mate! Thanks for watching Scott!

[@andyc750]

I only use natural wood but interesting to see how it is done properly, might just have to look into trying some out to see how it compares, mind do have a couple of knives with stabalised handles and found when I dropped one a large chip came off, had it been natural wood it would not have had any damage, pro's and con's I guess as with everything

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Andy. That’s interesting to hear. I didn’t realise a natural wood has advantages (on durability) against a stabilised wood so that’s interesting to hear. Thanks for watching buddy!

[@joshmajor8662]

@@UKBladeshowABSOLUTELY!!! I’m in Kentucky, I harvest and use my own from the forest Lol I’ve used stabilized before and first drop there was a knick!! Real wood, last for decades without wear. If done right Lol

[@joesmalley806]

Absolutely awesome video, still yet to get some pieces from Henry. Working with a lot of synthetics atm but can't beat a lovely bit of wood.

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi again Joe! Henry has a number of great stuff so check his IG page out for the new things he has such as dyed maple burls etc!

[@MrFeli100]

Inspiring how such a young lad does everything so informed and also informative! Huge background knowledge on that kid! If he gets the experience in he‘s close to indestructible 😂

[@UKBladeshow]

Haha yeah Henry is a legend. Thanks for your kind comment! - Vinz

[@MrFeli100]

@@UKBladeshow He really is. I wrote the comment before even watching the whole video and realized after: this lad somehow also already got the experience!

[@Nioclas64]

Darn that was really informative, thanks for the content, this will be useful for future projects

[@gmacka6333]

Absolutely amazing video my man. Very very informative. Probably the best video I’ve seen so far regarding stabilization. A topic that I’ve been quite interested in lately, as I’m contemplating creating my own knife scales. So in that regard, thank you sir. It is amazing to see a young guy like yourself, being so immersed in this type of hobby/work. I think the world would be a lot better place, if all younger people were curious enough, and had the drive it takes to excel at something like this, like this young man. I’m sure this guy has an amazing future ahead of him. I’m literally blown away. Well done.

[@UKBladeshow]

Thank you very much for your absolutely amazing and comprehensive feedback - we really appreciate it! Henry is an excellent guy to know - full of knowledge and passion with what he does! Thanks again! - Vinz

[@joemaster986]

Fantastic video and a lot of interesting info. This can get to many applications I am thinking of now, but would like to know the approximate weight difference between 3-5% moisture content wood and stabilized wood. Is it lot like 10-15% more weight because of resin or lower than that?

[@عاوزافهمليهكدا]

❤

[@loosieclocker]

Looks like he just got his drivers license. Very very impressive

[@UKBladeshow]

He has

[@Chazie_]

You certainly know your stuff mate , good luck with your business moving forwards 👍

[@FreeRange1234]

I would like to understand better what the pressure pot does? Why do you pressurize after the vacuum?

[@ughmas]

Excellent video and presentation, thanks for sharing!

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi again ughmas! Nice to see you back and happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Chat again soon!

[@titiserna8725]

Hi, would you please write in comments what wood you use. My english is not good enough to understand ur english. thank you

[@kurtbogle2973]

Cactus juice and a vaccum is how we stabilized our wood.

[@Advansite]

what does the pressure pot do after the first step when the blocks are cooled down

[@davidwoolfenden6961]

Having stabilised my own wood as an amateur for some years now, it's great to see a professional explain how to do the process much more thoroughly. So much knowledge from one so young too. I'm sure his business will go from strength to strength. Just a little advice, please get rid of your little voice inflexion which treats every statement like a question. An unfortunate Aussie habit which gets slightly annoying. Good luck for the future.

[@UKBladeshow]

Awesome, thank you!

[@NelsonJ1]

What kind of oven was he using to get temperatures that low?

[@hiddenwoodsben]

i was talking to a person at roselli the other day, regarding their pricing. they basically said "dude, stablised wood!" now i get it. i understand why stabilized wood has such a notable impact on the price of a knife. and i'm almost ready to pay it.

[@UKBladeshow]

Happy to hear your feedback! Thanks for sharing!

[@14magyar88]

Hi Mate.Where did you buy the cactus juice?

[@RobanyBigjobz]

Having tried it, I prefer stabilised wood for handles now especially kitchen knives that will get wet a lot. Fascinating insight into how it's made. Next time I need handle material, Henry will be the first place I look.

[@UKBladeshow]

Hey bud! Yeah, I didn’t realise how extensive the process is of making handle-materials such as stab wood but Henry does a fantastic explanation of how he does his products!

[@middleway1885]

Bravo... lol, not many times will I say that... This will go beautifully for my tiny Irish bog stump... mhmmm, wood...

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for watching Middle Way!

[@Sebastian-ed5kt]

hell yeah, Henry is a top guy and my go to wood supplyer🤘

[@UKBladeshow]

Woop woop! Henry is a top man for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@danielwithey458]

hi ,mate.... watching from Japan and also a knnife craftsman here... well done and very informative. top marks

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks Daniel! Glad to hear you are enjoying the content we put out! - Vinz

[@ceceliahuynh]

What a craftsman! Hope to get a blade worthy of such a fine handle one day 😊 love these maker stories - keep it up!

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks again for watching. Henry is an amazing maker and we are happy to have him in our community! Please don’t forget to check out his website to know more about Henry and what he makes.

[@nobodyreally]

I learned something new. Thanks for sharing your insight!

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for your feedback! Happy to hear you enjoyed Henry’s video! - Vinz

[@billwessels207]

I enjoyed this e4xcellent video very much! Thank you, Sir!

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for watching Bill! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@blueypanda]

A great.example of a craftsman. He can show his entire process. And you could try to mimic. But the amount of care, effort, and equipment needed makes it worth just buying from him.

[@diymthuanrauvt]

wow amring

[@garethbrown8947]

Had some beautiful woods from Henry and I must say he's a absolute delight to talk to I had a idea of what I wanted and he nail it

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Gareth thanks for watching! And yes, Henry is an absolute legend!

[@guytrout7101]

Nice.

[@norsangkelsang7939]

The dying?

[@BentleyGarner]

Beautiful video. Well done, great information.

[@UKBladeshow]

Thank you very much! - Vinz

[@danielemaspani5418]

F what a legend👏, I will look at your handles now. 👍👍

[@UKBladeshow]

A legend Henry definitely is! 💯 thanks for watching and yes, please check his stuff on Instagram as he always has new things brewing!

[@littlebear1520]

What's the difference between using the tape would that you're doing to just natural cured

[@ToddMatthewSmith]

Nice job never new so much went into it explains price !

[@UKBladeshow]

Cheers Todd! Henry is a fantastic maker and glad to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@robertoduranos5196]

Damn good video, glad we have this skill still in the UK.

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks Roberto! That’s flattering to hear! And yes, Henry is an amazing maker in the UK and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to showcase this to you guys!

[@richardainsworth4357]

Very nice good sir! Thank you for sharing!

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks Richard! Henry is an amazing maker! Thanks for watching!

[@redfiveforge3985]

Another great vid Vince! Well done to both👏👏

[@UKBladeshow]

Cheers Will! Henry did most of the work really, all I did was pointed the camera at him 🥰 Thanks for watching!

[@viktorkoning1442]

Excellent music as well! Love it.

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks for watching!

[@creedcastguides]

best i have seen so far thank you

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks!!!

[@deonpetrus]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@UKBladeshow]

Hi Deon thanks for watching!

[@TalRohan]

quite a process but well worth it

[@UKBladeshow]

Hey bud! Yup, definitely not for the faint-hearted! But yeah, equally interesting and important to understand for all knife makers!

[@aarondavies8486]

What a brilliant young man

[@johngilbert974]

Awesome tips !

[@UKBladeshow]

Cheers John! We are absolutely blessed to have the likes of young Henry in the community!

[@ozarkscarguy540]

This was so informative. I run a sawmill and kiln for a hardwood company and even I learned about drying

[@UKBladeshow]

Thanks buddy! Really appreciate the feedback! And yes, we are fortunate to have someone as talented as Henry share his knowledge!

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

Always love the videos man!

[@UKBladeshow]

Cheers man! Thanks for watching!

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

@@UKBladeshow i posted this in a knifemaking discord server im in. The guys there seemed to like it.

[@UKBladeshow]

Wow that’s very nice of you! Thanks for sharing the vid dude! Hope you’ll enjoy our other vids too!

[@uglykidmoe150]

idk how the english actually feel about it, but i think it is unfortunate that at the rate things are changing in the u.k. the only place this young mans scales will be used will be on butter knives : (

[@adh...lemonwaffles5660]

And he will make more money from his craft by tik tokking it, then actually selling it. Worlds crazy