I have some old black walnut that I cut into some scales a while back. I just noticed that the end of the block where the grain is cross cut looks really great. Is 1/4" thick cross cut wood strong enough for like a friction folder handle? The way I make mine they are the two 1/4" pieces epoxied/pinned with a piece of metal or wood the same thickness as the blade between the 2 1/4" pieces. I think the wood on a friction folder has a little more force on it than like scales on a full tange. I will try to attach a picture describing by method. Alot of friction handles are a "block" of wood with the slots cut in.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f138/woodsman1031/09-22-08_0726.jpg)