Presentation/Exhibition Grade Walnut Blocks

Burl Source · Oct 27, 2009

I have closed this thread. I believe everyone has paid and received their blocks. If I missed anyone, please send me a PM and I will get things fixed right away.
Thanks everybody, Mark

These blocks are some of the best curly figured Walnut I have seen. I am calling them presentation/exhibition grade because the figure covers the entire block and is much more intense than you will normally see in the best figured walnut.

This is natural walnut. It has not been stabilized. I recommend against having it stabilized. Using natural walnut with an oil finish will maximize the chatoyancy, the way the light moves within the figure. The wood has been dampened for the photos so you can get a better idea how it will look finished. Photos show both sides of the blocks.

If you like any of these just post "I'll take #...." in this thread. I will mark it sold and send you a pm for payment. Shipping is $2.50 for 1st class or $5 for Priority mail within the US. If you get 2 or more, US shipping is free.

#1204 SOLD- $30 - 8&1/8" long x 2&1/2" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1205 SOLD- $30 - 9" long x 2&3/8" wide x 1&3/16" thick

Photo of side A

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This batch below is just a bit short of being able to be called Exhibition Grade but real close. The spalting also disqualifies them. These pieces are cut quartersawn so the colors caused by the spalting are almost the same on both faces. Since the spalted (light colored) areas are softer you will need to stabilize these or use a wood hardener.

Spalted Curly Figured California Walnut Batch
#118 - $20 - 7&1/2" long x 2&1/2" wide x 1&1/8" thick
#119 - $20 - 7&1/4" long x 2&3/8" wide x 1&1/8" thick
#120 - $20 - 7&1/4" long x 2&1/4" wide x 1&1/8" thick
#121 - $20 - 7&1/4" long x 2&1/2" wide x 1&1/8" thick

Photo Side A - Spalted Curly Figured California Walnut Batch

Photo Side B - Spalted Curly Figured California Walnut Batch

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Burl Source · Oct 27, 2009

I cut these blocks special to be used for larger knives with a flared butt. These were cut from the crotch section where the grain curves and flares outward. There is nice figure in these blocks. It will be more predominant in the butt end.

#1206 SOLD- $20 - 5&3/4" long x 2&7/8" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1207 SOLD- $15 - 5&1/2" long x 2&1/8" wide x 1&1/4" thick
#1208 SOLD- $15 - 5&7/8" long x 1&7/8" wide x 1&1/4" thick

Photo of side A

Photo of side B

Burl Source · Oct 27, 2009

These blocks have some of the most compact figuring that you will see in any figured wood. The wood is California Red Gum Eucalyptus that was cut quartersawn to maximize the tight fiddleback figure. Eucalyptus is a very hard wood that works great for knife handles. The wood gets darker when you fine sand and polish it. Some wood turners use this as a substitute for Pink Ivory wood.

This is natural eucalyptus. It has not been stabilized. Using natural eucalyptus with an oil finish will darken the color and maximize the chatoyancy, the way the light moves within the figure. The wood has been dampened for the photos so you can get a better idea how it will look finished. Photos show both sides of the blocks.

Prices on these blocks have been lowered for a short time.
#1213 - Sale $15 was $25 - 8&1/2" long x 2&1/8" wide x 1&1/8" thick
#1214 - Sale $15 was $25 - 8&5/8" long x 2" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1215 - Sale $20 was $30 - 8&5/8" long x 2&3/8" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1216 - Sale $20 was $30 - 7&1/2" long x 2&3/4" wide x 1&3/16" thick

Photo of side A

Photo of side B

Burl Source · Oct 27, 2009

These blocks were cut from a bunion type burl. Most burl is pin burl which will have eyes in the figure. A bunion burl is more of a mutated growth on the side of a tree like a beachball stuck to the trunk. Instead of eyes, the figure is more like reflective shimmer with unusual grain patterns and coloring. The wood type is Oregon Black Oak. A member of the red oak family with unusual coloring and more compact, closed grain.

This is natural oak. It has not been stabilized. The wood has been dampened for the photos so you can get a better idea how it will look finished. Photos show both sides of the blocks.

If you like any of these just post "I'll take #...." in this thread. I will mark it sold and send you a pm for payment. Shipping is $2.50 for 1st class or $5 for Priority mail within the US. If you get 2 or more, US shipping is free.

Prices on these blocks have been lowered for a short time.
#1221 SOLD to fishface5- Sale $18 was $25 - 7&3/8" long x 2&3/8" wide x 1&1/8" thick
#1222 SOLD to fishface5- Sale $15 was $20 - 6" long x 2" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1223 - Sale $15 was $20 - 5&7/8" long x 1&7/8" wide x 1&3/16" thick
#1224 - Sale $15 was $20 - 5&7/8" long x 1&7/8" wide x 1&1/4" thick

Photo of side A

Photo of side B

Phil Dwyer · Oct 28, 2009

Email sent...

Burl Source · Oct 28, 2009

Farmer Phil said:
Email sent...

#s 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208 sold to Farmer Phil
Thanks

Shipped Priority Mail 10/30

Phil Dwyer · Nov 3, 2009

Burl Source said:
This is natural walnut. It has not been stabilized. I recommend against having it stabilized. Using natural walnut with an oil finish will maximize the chatoyancy, the way the light moves within the figure.

Hey Mark,

The walnut blocks just got delivered. There's LOTS of good looking handle material there! Can you describe a good oil treatment scenario for them as knife handles?

Thanks so much, Phil

Burl Source · Nov 3, 2009

Farmer Phil said:
Hey Mark,

The walnut blocks just got delivered. There's LOTS of good looking handle material there! Can you describe a good oil treatment scenario for them as knife handles?

Thanks so much, Phil

I don't have the patience to do it the right way like the gun stock guys do.
My way takes a lot less time and gets better results than I see on knives at the shows.

1. After shaping, sand to 400 grit making sure there are no sanding marks from previous grits.

2. Oil liberally with Watco or other brand danish oil. Wet sand using wet/dry sandpaper. (the gray stuff) 4 or 500 grit works fine. The slurry from the wet sanding helps to fill open pores. Let it sit till it starts getting gummy then wipe thoroughly with old t shirt.

3. Repeat a few times till it looks good to you. Let dry overnight.

4. I finish off with a top coat of Rudd brand Satin finish aerosol lacquer. Spray a couple light coats and let dry. Usually only 10 minutes or so. Then rub down with extrafine steel wool (0000) Then a couple more coats. Rub down with steel wool and repeat one or two more times.

5. Using wood paste wax, wax liberally and hand buff with an old t shirt.

This way the color becomes more vivid and the figure gains more depth. I finish boxes using this method for our galleries and they turn out real nice.

I hope this helps. Thanks for everything. Mark

Phil Dwyer · Nov 4, 2009

Wow, THANKS Mark. That was great. I appreciate your spending the time. I started a thread in the makers forum so your wisdom could be shared with more folks. As they say in these parts...mahalo nui loa!

Burl Source · Nov 11, 2009

I just added 4 blocks of some really nice quarter sawn spalted walnut with almost exhibition grade curly figure. They are at the top of this thread #s 118-121. I am so sure that whoever gets these will love them that they come with a no questions asked, money back guarantee.

Burl Source · Nov 16, 2009

1221 & 1222 for fishface5
Payment received. Shipped via Priority mail. Should arrive in a few days. Thanks, Mark