Help id this wood?

Any ideas? I have a custom knife maker next door asking.

 

Might be olive, I've seen bowls and cheese boards that look like that.

 

Don't know what it is but it's sure pretty. Like to have enough to make some pistol grips!

 

was it sawn from a burl by any chance ?

 

I’ve seen similar somewhere, sometime, in pictures. Judging by that barkish area. Used to do a lot of woodworking and found the exotics interesting.
Question is where did it come from?

 

Those are the only pics, I'm sure they are going to be knife handles.

 

What about Osage Orange?*

 

Ya know, that just may be a piece of root. Would explain the bark/skin. Many exotics are sold in root form too.

Reminds me of a big Tulip Poplar I found in the woods blown over. It grew in a rectangular granite hole in the ground. Entire rootball was a coiled mess of roots that looked like a million snakes all interlocked. I remember thinking if you could shave some of that root ball down you’d have one awesome table top.

 

Looks like mulberry crotch wood that was noodled.

 

After looking at it and reviewing some stock blanks I'm guessing English walnut, maybe from a burl or stump. Any idea where he got it?