Introduction to Florida Wood Series – Part 2
Dive into Part 2 of our Florida Wood Series blog at Grebeck Knives, where we showcase the stunning beauty of Wild Black Cherry, Sand Pear, and Bur Oak used for our knife handles! As described on the Florida Wood Series page, these woods are sourced from North Central Florida. The unique woods bring unmatched character to our custom high-carbon steel knives. Specifically, Sand Pear is rare while Bur Oak offers stunning depth. Each knife handle tells a story of craftsmanship and nature. Join us as we explore how these bookend-matched knife handles start from downed trees to beautiful knife handles. If you missed it, view Part 1 and Part 3.
Florida Series Woods-Wild Black Cherry
Our Wild Black Cherry handles feature stabilized wood with rich, warm tones. According to the Florida Native Plant Society this wood is a local gem. A Florida native told me these trees were once common in Central Florida. However, many were cut down for orange groves, with wood used for pallets. I haven’t verified this yet, but I’m researching. I harvested this wood from dead trees on my property and local logs. The result is phenomenal knife handles with vibrant colors.
Florida Series Woods-Sand Pear
Sand Pear, a lesser-known Florida treasure, has a rich history as a food source, as noted in a University of Florida article. While its fruit is prized for pies and jams, the wood is often overlooked due to the tree’s small size. I see opportunity where others don’t! I pruned a Sand Pear tree that lives in my front yard after finding a diseased branch. Then I salvaged this limited wood to craft rare, caramel-colored knife handles. Stabilized and polished, these dense handles are truly unique, with even the smallest pieces transformed into one-of-a-kind custom knife handles for our Florida Series.
Florida Wood Series – Bur Oak
Bur Oak, a member of Florida’s White Oak family, offers incredible versatility for custom knife handles. One large Bur Oak, removed due to its size encroaching on a neighbor’s driveway, provided wood with stunning variation. For instance, the first image features spalted sapwood. Meanwhile, the second pairs Bur Oak with Wild Plum for a stunning variance. The third shows the trees diverse grain. I stabilize all Florida woods to enhance durability and preserve its natural color, creating matching bookend handles that are as functional as they are beautiful. Beyond knives, Bur Oak shades Florida homes, parks, and roads, and even supports furniture and construction projects.
If you’ve missed them, take a look at Part 1 and Part 3 of our Florida Wood Series to discover more wood types crafted into custom high carbon steel knives at GreBec Knives & More, featuring unique bookend-matched handle materials. Explore our online shop and filter by Florida Woods to browse knives in stock, showcasing these distinctive materials. Stay tuned for future releases as we expand the series over time!