How to stabilize your wood : a step-by-step guide ! 10 September 2024

Conseils, Mise en avant

What is wood stabilization ?

Stabilisation involves impregnating a piece of wood with a resin or polymer to improve its density, durability and resistance to moisture and cracking. This process is particularly useful for soft wood or wood with defects such as cracks. Stabilised wood will also retain its colour over time.

The importance of stabilization in cutlery.

Wood stabilization is an essential technique for strengthening and preserving wooden parts, especially those used in the manufacture of knife handles. NOVACURE resin is a cutting-edge product for stabilizing wood, ensuring greater durability and resistance, and with good reason! It was developed by Novawood, a German specialist in the stabilization of exotic and precious woods, who has been using it for years - and whom we are very proud to count among our suppliers. Stabilizing wood can be a tricky process, so we've written this step-by-step guide to help you stabilise your first wood blocks and scales !

Why you should use Novacure stabilization resin.

NOVACURE resin is probably the best stabilizing resin currently on the market. It's easy to use (you can find instructions on its technical data sheet) and gives excellent results on dry wood, whether common or exotic. However, to achieve optimum results, you need to prepare your stabilization session properly!

Preparing your wood stabilization

Before starting the stabilization process, it's crucial to prepare the wood properly and gather all the necessary tools and equipment.

Wood selection

Choose pieces of wood that lend themselves well to the stabilization process. Avoid tropical woods and certain hardwoods such as oak and bubinga, which do not stabilise well. As a general rule, the densest woods take little, if any, stabilisation - this is the case, for example, with Arizona ironwood, which is extremely dense in its natural state and will not absorb the resin at all.

Drying wood

Make sure that the wood is as dry as possible to allow optimum impregnation of the resin. Damp wood will greatly compromise stabilization.

The tools and equipment you need

• NOVACURE resin
• Novavoid chamber and vacuum pump
• Suitable oven (e.g. laboratory oven)
• Nitrile gloves
• Protective goggles
• Aluminium paper

How to stabilize wood easily with Novacure?

Activating the resin :

1. Prepare the resin : Shake the small bottle of activator firmly and empty its contents into the resin canister.
2. Mix : Shake the can for a few minutes to mix the resin and activator thoroughly.
3. Colour dyes: If you want to stabilise coloured blocks, pour the dye into the can (the quantity will depend on the intensity of the colour you are looking for), and shake the whole thing firmly again for several minutes.

Wood stabilization

1. Putting the blocks in the vacuum chamber : Place the block of wood to be stabilized in the vacuum chamber. To avoid time-consuming and complex cleaning, we recommend that you place the blocks in a flat container, which is itself placed in the vacuum chamber.
2. Adding the resin : Pour the NOVACURE resin over the block until it is completely covered (2 to 4 centimetres above the block). Dry wood will float in most cases: for optimum impregnation, you can hold it down with a weight. Rest assured, this will not prevent the resin from setting in the heart of the block!
3. Air evacuation : Close the chamber and start the vacuum pump. Creating a vacuum will inevitably cause the resin to foam: you can prevent this by regulating the pressure inside the chamber with the valve.
4. Adjust the pressure inside the chamber until the resin no longer foams, for optimum results.
5. Stabilization : Leave the block in the resin for approximately 12 hours, ensuring that the resin level remains above the block.
6. Tip: After impregnating the block under vacuum for 12 hours, open the chamber and leave the blocks to impregnate with resin for a further 12 hours, without pressure.

Hardening the resin

The hardener mixed with Novacure stabilization resin is activated by heat: after stabilisation, it's time to bake!

1. Block protection : Remove the block from the vacuum chamber and wrap it in aluminium foil.
2. "Baking": Place the wrapped block in a suitable oven at at least 95°C for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Stocking the remaining resin : Leftover resin can be reused if stored in a clean, airtight container (the original canister, for example), itself stored at room temperature, away from light.

And that's it !

Problems ? Solutions !

My stabilization resin is bubbling and making foam, is that normal ?

Yes, it's the pressure that causes the resin to foam. You can eliminate it easily by regulating the pressure inside the vacuum chamber.

I don't think my wood has absorbed the resin properly...

Make sure the wood is completely dry before starting the process. Similarly, some particularly dense woods take little, if any, stabilisation - you'll find a list of these in the Novacure resin leaflet.

Resin does not harden when heated in the oven!

Check the oven temperature and make sure it remains constant at at least 95°C for the required time (4 to 5 hours). Also check the folding of your papillote.

Wood stabilization : our FAQ.

How do you know if the wood is dry enough for stabilisation?

The wood must be dried to a moisture content of less than 10%. Use a hygrometer to check the moisture content.

Can I use NOVACURE resin on all types of wood?

No, some woods such as fresh oak, bubinga and certain tropical hardwoods do not stabilise well.

How long should the wood remain in the resin?

The wood must remain in the resin for around 12 hours for optimum impregnation.

What to do with resin residues?

Residual resin can be reused if stored correctly in a clean, airtight container.

What type of oven should I use for curing?

Use a suitable oven that can maintain a constant temperature of at least 95°C for several . A domestic oven will do the trick, although precision is still a formidable ally!

Is it possible to colour wood with NOVACURE resin?

Yes, you can add colourants to the resin before starting the stabilisation process to stain the wood. You can also make your own mixtures of dyes to obtain unique shades!

How do I maintain a stabilised wooden handle?

Stabilised wood requires little maintenance, but must be protected from excessive impact and prolonged exposure to water. You can also brighten it up with a cotton swab or a maintenance wax, such as Wicked Wax.

In conclusion...

Stabilising wood with NOVACURE resin is an effective way of strengthening and preserving your wooden parts. By following the steps and precautions described, you can achieve professional, long-lasting results. Remember to always work in a well-ventilated environment and wear protective equipment.

Watch our video tutorial, available on Youtube, for all the steps involved in stabilising wood!