Stabilized Wood

Any wood species vacuum-impregnated with thermosetting acrylic resin (the "Cactus Juice" brand is well-known in American custom knife circles), then heat-cured. The process draws liquid resin into the wood's porous structure, replacing air and moisture with hardened plastic. Result: dimensionally stable (won't shrink, swell, or crack with humidity changes), waterproof, harder on the surface, and capable of accepting dye for vivid uniform color throughout the piece. Typical base woods: curly maple, bird's eye maple, birch burl, box elder burl, buckeye burl, and black ash burl. Identification: a slight plasticky feel compared with natural wood, and color penetration that is uniform throughout the piece rather than only on the surface. Care is minimal, since the resin seals the wood, so no oiling is needed. It is dishwasher-hostile (heat can affect resin adhesion over time).