Waster wood

[Jason Taylor]

I'm looking to knock out a few wasters here for loaners. I know most are hickory, and to stay away from the soft woods and from oak. The local lumber mill hasn't got hickory and can't order it, however, so I was wondering if other woods might work. I was thinking of using ash, which I've seen referenced by other sword groups, but they were using modified dowels rather than wasters. Anyone know if ash will work for a decent waster? Or if there's any other wood I might want to try instead?

Jason

[Jeff Hansen]

I'm looking to knock out a few wasters here for loaners. I know most are hickory, and to stay away from the soft woods and from oak. The local lumber mill hasn't got hickory and can't order it, however, so I was wondering if other woods might work. I was thinking of using ash, which I've seen referenced by other sword groups, but they were using modified dowels rather than wasters. Anyone know if ash will work for a decent waster? Or if there's any other wood I might want to try instead?

Jason

I have used ash, and it will work, but it's too light and it will break if you give it a really hard whack. A good piece of maple is my recomendation if you can't get hickory. I had one last me about 3 yrs of hard use.

[Jason Taylor]

Thanks. They do have maple, actually, so I may have to give that a shot. Oddly, they also have ironwood, but that stuff seems way too heavy.

[Brian Hunt]

Iron wood is also really, really hard to work. It will dull your wood working tools with amazing ease.

Brian Hunt

[David Kite]

Iron wood is also really, really hard to work. It will dull your wood working tools with amazing ease.

Brian Hunt

It also seems very brittle, probably because it is so hard. I made a longsword waster from a piece, and not only was it very heavy, but it snapped very quickly.

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Jason Taylor]

Thanks. wondered if it might be brittle. I'll just use it for some decorative project or something.