A couple of years ago I posted a photo of an African blackwood brush that I made. I had planned to make a couple more, but I ended up moving after finishing grad school, and I no longer have access to the lathe at the university anymore. So I was wondering what to do with these knots that I have left over, and while working on my new project making a bamboo bicycle frame, I thought I'd try using a piece of bamboo to make a brush handle. I love the look of heat treated, carmel-colored bamboo, and it is exceptionally hard and durable, so it seems like a very good material for making a brush handle, as long as the outside is sealed properly.
I still have a bit of work to do on this one, but I think it came out pretty well. The knot is not bonded into the handle yet--I plan to do some more sanding to even out the color a bit (the back side has a very dark spot in the middle of the handle), then I'll fill the inside with some epoxy or bondo to give it some balance (the hollow handle is very light--these properties, light, strong, and stiff-the carmelizing of the sugars from heat treating make it very hard-are what make it such a good material for making bikes), and then I need to put a durable finish on it, probably CA, but I'd like to keep the natural, low-gloss look.
Anyway, just posting for your enjoyment, and maybe to give other DIYers some ideas.
I still have a bit of work to do on this one, but I think it came out pretty well. The knot is not bonded into the handle yet--I plan to do some more sanding to even out the color a bit (the back side has a very dark spot in the middle of the handle), then I'll fill the inside with some epoxy or bondo to give it some balance (the hollow handle is very light--these properties, light, strong, and stiff-the carmelizing of the sugars from heat treating make it very hard-are what make it such a good material for making bikes), and then I need to put a durable finish on it, probably CA, but I'd like to keep the natural, low-gloss look.
Anyway, just posting for your enjoyment, and maybe to give other DIYers some ideas.