A Kampilan blade - from where?

[KuKulzA28]

Sounds good, time for me to go shopping for pieces of padauk...

In the meantime, continuing practice on the poplar wood "dummy" handle...

[Nirghosa]

Surprisingly I have a personal kampilan trainer I am making the handle from Padauk as well. It can be a little challenging but near as difficult as some other hardwoods.
Be sure to use a respirator or at least a dust mask. I've been told the Padauk dust is very carcinogenic.
It take a glorious color with just a simple poly seal.

http://s795.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSC04818.jpg

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Nirghosa

Surprisingly I have a personal kampilan trainer I am making the handle from Padauk as well. It can be a little challenging but near as difficult as some other hardwoods.
Be sure to use a respirator or at least a dust mask. I've been told the Padauk dust is very carcinogenic.
It take a glorious color with just a simple poly seal.

http://s795.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSC04818.jpg

Very true - it can puncture the avioli of the lungs so DON'T BREATH THE PADAUK DUST!

And yes a little difficult to carve, but much easier than kamagong (macassar ebony) or ebony.

[KuKulzA28]

Originally Posted by Nirghosa

It take a glorious color with just a simple poly seal.

http://s795.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSC04818.jpg

That does look nice, good work!

Originally Posted by Battara

Very true - it can puncture the avioli of the lungs so DON'T BREATH THE PADAUK DUST!

I will remember than advice! Sounds like cocobolo
I assume the same precautions as cocobolo... face-mask, ventilation, etc.

[Nirghosa]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

That does look nice, good work!



Thanks!!

I will remember than advice! Sounds like cocobolo
I assume the same precautions as cocobolo... face-mask, ventilation, etc.

Personally, to me cocobolo is a little heavier and could throw off the balance but perhaps if you could get identical pieces you would be able to judge yourself. Sometimes the woods speak to you. I would often go to the local shop and pick up differing pieces to get a feel. Could sometimes take way too long
In general the denser the wood, the heavier it is of course
When doing my personal aluminum trainers I prefer to get the balance just right.
Purpleheart is nice as is Narra.
Dark Walnut has a nice balance of weight, density and yet is workable.
http://s795.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSC06778.jpg

[Battara]

I use padauk because it looks like the inner part of the narra tree (again a part of the narra tree family) and walnut because it looks like the outer part of the narra tree.

[Nirghosa]

Originally Posted by Battara

I use padauk because it looks like the inner part of the narra tree (again a part of the narra tree family) and walnut because it looks like the outer part of the narra tree.

Interesting, hadn't looked at it that way.
Do you use a stain on the Padauk (to affect the color) or just a seal?

[Battara]

Most of the time I just use a seal. However, I have stained it with walnut before, which looks like the area between the inner and outer parts of the narra tree, or a truly aged piece of inner narra wood.