This is a tough one !

[snappingturtle]

A gray or blond oak would be nice it tones down well with use and re -oils.

 

[Gcckoka]

Guys what do you think about ebony with red and blue spacers?

 

[Janne]

Personally I do not like spacers.

Ebony is a nice timber.

 

[Billy-o]

I have a very large number of ebony-handled knives, so my opinion can hardly be said to be unbiased. But, I couldn't agree more that ebony is a great option (I have one terrific single-piece handle on a Hankala blade). Also, no to all spacers

 

[Gcckoka]

how about ebony with 0.5mm brass spacers? that would be awesome yes?

 

[Janne]

I do not see the point with spacers between the tang and handle.
Why are they there? To fill an uneven gap, a gap there because of a bad fit steel/wood? Work on the fit.

The more glue areas, the larger risk for delamination.

Using a metal spacer is even worse, as the glue layers only try to attach to fairly smooth metal surfaces, all 3 of them on each side, plus one (each side) wood surface! A failed handle is fine in the kitchen or garage, not so fun if it happens in the forest.


I firmly believe the strongest solution is one piece of wood or other material on each side. Glued, riveted/Corbyied. Nothing between the scales and steel.

 

[Billy-o]

Here's that Hankala in a single piece of ebony. The blade is 5" trapezoid.

Not much of a pic, I'll try another later. Its not with me just now

I picked up a few single piece handles for scandinavian style blades over time, including a couple of Joonas Kallioniemi's early ones. They are a pest to make. So, many will kind of shy away. Still got three old Hankala blades waiting to have handles put on them. Such knives.