{"product_id":"black-select-tamboti-handle-block-bs-tam-017","title":"BLACK SELECT Tamboti Handle Block | [BS-TAM-017]","description":"\u003ch3\u003eBLACK SELECT Identification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBLACK SELECT ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e [BS-TAM-017]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tamboti\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSpirostachys africana\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Code:\u003c\/strong\u003e TAM\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe Use Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican Sandalwood, Cape Sandalwood or Tambootie\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\u003cspan\u003e [26.0 mm]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e [40.0 mm]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e [130.0 mm]\u003c\/span\u003e\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 Tamboti\u003c\/strong\u003e. It has not been resin-stabilized or impregnated with synthetic resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTamboti is an exceptionally hard, dense and fine-grained African hardwood. Published figures place its average dried density at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e955 kg\/m³\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a specific gravity of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e0.96 at 12% moisture content\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its density and naturally compact structure mean that resin uptake during conventional vacuum stabilization can be limited and that stabilization offers considerably less benefit than it does with softer, more porous timbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe therefore supply our Tamboti in its \u003cstrong\u003enatural, unstabilized state\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing the maker to work with the inherent colour, grain, density, aroma and character of the timber itself.\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\u003cp\u003eThe end grain is sealed with \u003cstrong\u003eparaffin wax\u003c\/strong\u003e to control moisture loss and help minimise splitting and checking during the drying process.\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 was sealed with paraffin wax after processing to slow moisture loss through the ends and help reduce the risk of splitting and checking while the timber dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe paraffin wax can be removed when the block is ready to be worked.\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 allow the timber to acclimatise to their working environment before incorporating it into a finished knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorking Safety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTamboti requires particular care when being worked.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTamboti contains naturally occurring toxic compounds. Its wood dust and sawdust are known irritants and can cause serious irritation to the eyes and skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen cutting, drilling, grinding or sanding Tamboti, we strongly recommend:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eeffective dust extraction;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esuitable respiratory protection;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eproperly fitted eye protection; and\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eavoiding unnecessary skin contact with the dust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWash exposed skin and hands thoroughly after working with the material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not burn Tamboti offcuts or dust.\u003c\/strong\u003e Smoke produced by burning Tamboti is toxic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural Material\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTamboti is a natural material. Differences in colour, grain, figure, streaking and other natural characteristics are expected and are not defects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTamboti heartwood can range from golden brown through reddish brown to considerably darker tones and commonly displays darker streaking. These natural variations are part of what makes individual pieces particularly attractive as knife handle material.\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":54815460065559,"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_204ffcc8-8434-4526-a568-110d82e95121.jpg?v=1787744757","url":"https:\/\/www.blackdragonforge.com\/products\/black-select-tamboti-handle-block-bs-tam-017","provider":"Black Dragon Forge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}