My fellow wood lovers - prepare to drool....

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
13,348
Greetings all,


I don't think I've ever started a thread about a piece of wood before, but then again, I don't think I've ever seen a piece of wood like this before (though Koa King Bill F. may well have).


I have a camp knife project in the works with David Wesner - a modified version of his very cool "Gus" model. With my recent Burt Foster Persian fighter (and my even more recent CKCA club knife by Karl Andersen) I have become a real Koa convert and asked David to keep his eyes open for a really nice piece.


We had just missed out on a super-nice piece from Chuck Bybee, but David spotted a piece on FleaBay that "super nice" doesn't quite begin to describe. He flipped me a link to the auction and I decided I kind of had to have it.


So, having spent a truly ridiculous sum for a piece of wood (note to self - start working on spousal justification pronto), this Koa board will soon be heading to David:



*
*
*
*
*
*
*



orig.jpg


Holy Krazy-Kurl Batman! :eek:

I am tickled pink. :o

Roger
 
Good heavens. I can't believe I'm posting on a thread dedicated to a board, but that's beyond words.

Made by a master craftsman indeed....
 
BOIOIOIOIOING!!!!!!! :eek:


Yes, a knife too, but that belongs on a guitar, or a Ukulele! MY GOD that's pretty. Koa is such a great tonal wood, I'd almost consider it a waste on a knife........almost ;)
 
When I scrolled down to the pic I actually said "wow" that is a heck of a sweet piece of wood. It looks so rich and almost has a resinous look to it. Awesome snag and definatley worthy of its own thread.
 
Burt Foster said:
Made by a master craftsman indeed....
Click to expand...


Very nice way to look at it Burt.


Roger I too belong to the "Order of the ridiculous priced chunk of wood club"

I have a beautiful piece of fully stabilized fiddle figured KOA its 1 1/2"+ x 3" x 32", I paid a fair but hefty price for this piece of wonder from Chuck Bybee. I have had it sitting in my corner of my office for 3 years now. I have not the heart to cut this thing up yet, but its days are numbered.

Yours is completely stunning

SAR

dscn0959l.jpg
 
I know it's not a real classification, but I don't think anyone would argue with you if you called this piece gem grade. Looks like you have a once in a lifetime find there.
 
Fantastic piece of wood. I find myself more and more on the lookout for exceptional pieces wood.
Bob
 
Gorgeous wood!!!! David made a Kephart for me from my drawing and used a piece of great birdseye maple from his property for the scales. He does great work.
 
Burt Foster said:
Made by a master craftsman indeed....
Click to expand...

Indeed!

SAR said:
I have a beautiful piece of fully stabilized fiddle figured KOA its 1 1/2"+ x 3" x 32", I paid a fair but hefty price for this piece of wonder from Chuck Bybee. I have had it sitting in my corner of my office for 3 years now. I have not the heart to cut this thing up yet, but its days are numbered.
Click to expand...

That is a gorgeous board and I can well understand your reluctance to cut it up. I am tempted to sand and finish mine and just haul it around with me. But that would be weird. :o

Kohai999 said:
Is it stabilized? If not, are you going to get it stabilized?
Click to expand...


No, it is not stabilized. This board will yield a few handle blocks - I will have some stabilized, but others I won't. You do lose some chatoyance with stabilization, and I'd certainly like to maximize that feature on a couple pieces. I've been doing a bit of reading on Koa and came across the following (and similar comments) from a few sources:

"Koa has weight and strength properties similar to black walnut. It is a moderately heavy wood (specific gravity .55). It is stable, works well, and takes an exceptionally rich, deeply reflective glow when finished with oils and modern varnish or laquer."

I've certainly used my share of unstabilized black walnut and haven't had any issue with it. I've used the heck out of my little walnut-handled hunter and it has held up great. I think an oil finish or a multi-layer Dan Farr type finish would really make this wood pop (and it's popping pretty darned good all on its own).

Burl Source said:
I know it's not a real classification, but I don't think anyone would argue with you if you called this piece gem grade. Looks like you have a once in a lifetime find there.
Click to expand...

That's very high praise, considering the source. Thank you. :)

And thanks to all.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
I think an oil finish or a multi-layer Dan Farr type finish would really make this wood pop (and it's popping pretty darned good all on its own).
Click to expand...

I'm glad you think so! Not that I have a lot of experience either way, but to me stabilized means 'plasticized'. There's just something about a properly applied oil finish that can't be beat. Can't wait to see where this wood ends up.
 
OKay... I, too, laughed at a thread about a block of wood...But, DAMN that is nice wood!! I can only hope that the knife meets the standard of the wood... I suspect that Mr. Foster will be paying a little more of his already special attention to the knife whilst making it. I really look forward to the finished product.
I agree...nice snag, but if you are already feeling guilty: get to work on the buying something nice for the wife.
 
I watched the auction to its end........ what a nail biter :eek:

There was more than one person after this jewel.

I expected to see a "curses - you're the guy who beat me" post by another knifemaker here :grumpy: ;)

Great snag Roger :thumbup:

We'll be seeing the fruits of this for years.





:cool:
 
Lorien said:
I'm glad you think so! Not that I have a lot of experience either way, but to me stabilized means 'plasticized'. There's just something about a properly applied oil finish that can't be beat. Can't wait to see where this wood ends up.
Click to expand...

+1

Very nice piece of wood!

Kind regards,

Jos
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top