On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 19:52:53 GMT, animaux wrote:

On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 14:06:34 -0500, B.Server wrote:


They are very handsome. The possible tradeoff between the higher
polish and difficulty in sharpening is an interesting question. Maybe
you will let us know how it turns out. Personally, I would prefer to
see hickory or ash handles from sustainable N. American hardwoods
rather than an African hardwood that was very likely poached and all
but certain to have helped the bushmeat trade. If hickory works well
enough for blacksmiths, it would probably do for the garden.

I had no idea the wood poaching supported the bush meat trade. Now I feel
awful. I do have other stainless tools and they maintain their edge as long as
I keep them cleaned up and not use them to go through rocks...which I don't
have.

You could feel worse. I am a parttime cabinet maker who loves fine
wood. The arguments about "plantation grown", sustained yield, ad
nauseum finally convinced me that today thereare no responsibly
managed forests outside of the northern hemisphere temperate zone and
very few there. My stock of tropical hardwoods dwindles. I will miss
them when they are gone, but there are some very nice woods closer to
home.

The problem noted is that one must feed the loggers and one must be
able to get out the logs, thus roads.. (I have seen filches of
bubinga in Boston that were 5 1/2 FEET wide, 16' long and 8 inches
thick) Once the roads are in place, it is much easier to penetrate
the forests to hunt and easier to bring out the kill to local markets.

And yes, I know that there will be some libertarian who will hector me
that unless there is a way to sell something, it is without value. No
doubt they say the same thing about their grandmother. Its a personal
choice.