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#1 | |
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 116
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Does anyone know a professional or trade name for the fiber material that the spacers are made of? Jantz supply has fiberglass spacers, but I don't think it's fiberglass. |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,336
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You have a PM .
Google is your friend (in this case) . ![]() |
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#3 | |
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 116
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,215
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just to expand on AGM's fine info. lignum vitae is/was used in stern tube bearing & seals around the hull penetration of large low speed ship's propeller shafts. the seals used a trickle of water to lubricate and cool the wood bearing. lignum vitae essentially doesn't absorb water and is very hard and wear eresistant in this service. it also is denser than water (it sinks) and is not only expensive, but hard to find any more, the true LV is an endangered species, but small chunks for gun grips and knife handles can be found. wear a dust mask if you DIY (LV has medicinal uses when powdered). i used to see a lot of it around ship yards in sea ports as the wood was installed in dovetailed strips and needed replacement every decade or so. that source has dried up. modern seals are mechanical oil seals. great when they work, but a horror if they leak.
LV also makes nice clubs and walking sticks. ![]() Last edited by kronckew; 6th May 2015 at 08:16 AM. |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,989
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This is what lignum vitae looks like.
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,336
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I have a good sized LV carver's mallet; you keep it waxed or it will check; it's a heavy bugger .
Good for deadeyes also IIRC . |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 116
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Turns out I have some LV, I have a piece of propeller bearing, I just didn't know what it was. I am a snitcher and hoarder of wood from way back, I have a million pieces of wood from all over. After. Working over the metal on these knives, I doubt I'll use wood, there are just too many irregularities and it seems from inspecting the old examples that the stuff just compresses into form.
Would it be correct to say that the fiber material just replaces leather or other organic material in a very old method of fashioning grips? |
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