Hi Steve!

Personally I try to steer clear of Ebony. Experience has taught me that Ebony is like concrete..... its not a matter of IF it will crack or check, its a matter of WHEN. Nothing worse then putting a lot of time and effort into a handle, only to have it come back a year or two later with a crack or split. Its happened to me enough times in the past, that I just quit using Ebony.

On the other side of the coin, I've never had African Blackwood crack or check. I also find African Blackwood much nicer to work with. I think you'd find that cutting flutes, and especially the twisted wire inlay is much less frustrating when using African Blackwood versus Ebony.

I would like to second what Ed said. I have worked with both, and actually have both in my stock right now, and blackwood is absolute tops in being stable and a pure pleasure to work with. Its colors are richer and deeper than ebony and the grain is so tight that it is more like working a plastic than wood, if you get a chance to turn it, it is a pure treat. As for taking the wire inlay, it is about the best I have worked with, it will deform just enough to accept the wire but still not chip or check.

Steve

I agree with Ed and Kevin. Ebony is known to easily crack and chip while African Blackwood is a pleasure to work with. I am just finishing work on fluting an African Blackwood handle and it has been a pleasure to work on. The deep and rich color that you can achieve during final finishing is amazing.

Make sure that you use a good respirator during all grinding operations with African Blackwood to protect yourself.

THANKS for the advice and information, it has been a tremendous help.

Steve

Hello Steve. I too have to recommend the blackwood. So much easier to work than ebony, no checking or cracking issues. It also polishes out really nicely. For a really dark or black handle it is my go to wood.

Brion

Thanks Brion. All good stuff.

steve