How much will ebony shrink?

[Brandon Shew]

I am looking for a piece of black ebony to make some square shaped handles out of for a piece of furniture that I am trying to finish prior to Christmas. (nothing like waiting until near the end) Everyting that I have found out there is packaged as some sort of turning blank and thus coated with wax and at about 15%-20% moisture content.

I am wondering if I can use something that wet w/o any issues. How much shrinkage can one expect from ebony? Any issues that I would face with the higher MC? Any sources for the dry stuff? (I only need a small piece.) My oven does have a low heat dehydration setting....

[John Eaton]

For something like that I think you'll have neglegible shrinkage - most of the ebony I've handled has been coated in similar fashion and I honestly can't say I've seen any shrinkage - the wood is very dense. I think you'd see the most shrinkage turning bowls - anyout out there that's tried that?

-- John