Each piece goes through several 
stages, firstly dried to zero 
moisture content, which leaves 
the wood cells open and porous.
Then it is placed and covered in 
a bath on clear Cactus resin, at 
this point dyes of assorted colours 
can be added and put in a vacuum 
chamber for up to 48 hours or until 
the bubbles stop coming out of the 
wood. The dyes choose at random 
where they will go in the wood grain, 
giving each piece a bespoke look.
The main source for these come 
from a Ukraine supplier. He simply 
is one of the best in the world 
for stabilised Box Elder Burl. I 
also have several other suppliers 
for different stabilised woods.
I guarantee each Katanza knife 
for build and quality but with 
everything the owner has a 
responsibility for their investment, 
refer to care tips below.
This image shows the amazing colours 
achieved by dying high grade stabilised wood.
The finished result, 
Graeme shapes and 
places the handles 
together himself.
70  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE
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