{"product_id":"black-select-red-ivory-handle-block-bs-ri-032","title":"BLACK SELECT Red Ivory Handle Block | [BS-RI-032]","description":"\u003ch3\u003eBLACK SELECT Identification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBLACK SELECT ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e [BS-RI-032]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Ivory\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBerchemia zeyheri\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Code:\u003c\/strong\u003e RI\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe Use Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as \u003cstrong\u003ePienk Ivory, Purple Ivory, Unnini or Umgoloti\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003cstrong\u003eBLACK SELECT\u003c\/strong\u003e range of premium handle materials from Black Dragon Forge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery BLACK SELECT block is individually selected and processed by hand for its colour, grain, character, soundness and suitability for use as a premium knife handle material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Exact Block You Are Buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe block shown in the photographs is the exact block you will receive.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBLACK SELECT blocks are listed and sold individually. Natural variations in colour, grain and figure are part of the character of the material and make every block unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndividual Block Dimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e [26.0 mm]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e [40.0 mm]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e [130.0 mm]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach BLACK SELECT block is individually processed by hand. Dimensions may therefore vary slightly from one block to another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dimensions shown above are the actual dimensions of this specific block.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural, Unstabilized Timber\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis BLACK SELECT block is \u003cstrong\u003esolid, natural Red Ivory\u003c\/strong\u003e. It has not been resin-stabilized or impregnated with synthetic resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Ivory is an exceptionally hard, dense and fine-grained hardwood. Its natural density leaves very little available pore space for meaningful resin uptake, making conventional vacuum stabilization largely unnecessary and of limited benefit for this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe therefore supply our Red Ivory in its \u003cstrong\u003enatural, unstabilized state\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing the maker to work with the inherent colour, grain, density and character of the timber itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe only surface treatments applied during preparation are a light coat of \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil\u003c\/strong\u003e to reveal the colour and grain, and \u003cstrong\u003eparaffin wax on the end grain\u003c\/strong\u003e to control moisture loss while the block completes its drying period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePreparation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach block is individually prepared by hand and finished to \u003cstrong\u003e230 grit\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is then lightly coated with \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil\u003c\/strong\u003e to reveal the grain, colour and individual character of the timber and allow the maker to properly assess the piece before use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Dragon Forge Alkanet Root Oil is manufactured by Black Dragon Forge and is available exclusively from us.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProcessing \u0026amp; Drying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eProcess Date\u003c\/strong\u003e is the date on which this block was cut to its current dimensions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSafe Use Date\u003c\/strong\u003e is the earliest date from which we recommend using the material for a finished knife handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe end grain has been sealed with \u003cstrong\u003eparaffin wax\u003c\/strong\u003e to slow moisture loss through the ends and help minimise splitting and checking while the timber continues to dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe paraffin wax should remain in place during the drying period and can be removed when the block is ready to be worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBefore the Safe Use Date\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis material is still undergoing its natural drying process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil the Safe Use Date, we recommend storing the block:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eindoors;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eout of direct sunlight;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eaway from excessive heat; and\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewhere reasonable air circulation is available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend leaving the end-grain wax intact during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Information About the Safe Use Date\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Safe Use Date is our recommended \u003cstrong\u003eearliest use date\u003c\/strong\u003e, based on the date on which the timber was processed to its current dimensions and the drying period allowed thereafter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTimber remains a natural material and continues to respond to the temperature and relative humidity of its environment. The Safe Use Date should therefore not be interpreted as a guarantee that the block has reached a particular moisture content under every possible storage or workshop condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe maker should satisfy themselves that the timber has reached an appropriate moisture content and has acclimatised to their working environment before incorporating it into a finished knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural Material\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Ivory is a natural material. Differences in colour, grain, figure and other natural characteristics are expected and are not defects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause every BLACK SELECT block is photographed and listed individually, you can select the specific piece of material that best suits your knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelected. Processed. Photographed. Sold individually.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Black Dragon Forge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54810605945111,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0788\/7444\/4055\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_f6fd5ab7-1bd9-479d-b1b7-293a8494216b.jpg?v=1787731109","url":"https:\/\/www.blackdragonforge.com\/products\/black-select-red-ivory-handle-block-bs-ri-032","provider":"Black Dragon Forge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}