Hey everyone! I'm looking to dive into some woodworking, specifically for making knife scales, and I've come across some inexpensive oak doors being sold nearby. I've never repurposed furniture or materials like this before, so I'm a bit unsure what to consider before purchasing. Are there any concerns, such as treatments or how the wood is structured, that I should be aware of? I'm mainly interested in using the wood for various projects and it seems like these doors could save me money compared to buying from a hardware store, where the quality is often inconsistent. Should I take the plunge and buy these doors, or are there better options out there?
5 Answers
Most of the time, these doors aren't solid oak; they're likely veneered particle board, especially if they're being sold new. Check the ends of the doors to see if the grain goes all the way around or if it's just a thin oak layer. That'll give you a good clue about what you're buying.
Honestly, for knife scales, you're looking for pieces that many people disregard as trash. You can probably get away with dimensions of about 5cm x 10cm and roughly 5cm thick. If you can, visit local wood shops and ask to rummage through their scrap bins; you might find some gems for just a couple bucks!
From my experience, I’d bet those doors are veneered. I once took apart a 1920’s door, thinking it was solid oak, but it ended up being thick veneer. I suggest you buy one to check it out and see if it's indeed solid.
I wouldn't recommend using red oak for knife scales since it absorbs too much water through the open pores. If you're getting a white oak door, just keep in mind that it's usually pricier but would work better for waterproof applications. Also, keep an eye out; sometimes doors have less usable wood than expected because of mortise cuts and thin panels. It really boils down to your other options out there.
If those doors are being sold for cheap, they might be hollow core or just oak veneer. In the long run, it might cost you more trying to repurpose them. I suggest checking platforms like FB Marketplace for solid hardwood options. A friend of mine sells me rough sawn white oak at a fraction of what you’d spend in a hardware store. You'd be surprised at how much effort is still needed with dimensional lumber even though it's marketed as ready to use!