Too Pretty?

Burl Source

Burl Source

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Dec 7, 2008
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Can a piece of wood be too pretty to use?

There have been a few times I have heard people say that a piece of wood they got was just too pretty to use and that they were just going to keep it as it is. Well......today that happened to me.

This piece of Koa is not for sale. I just thought it was so darned pretty I had to show off to you guys.

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I should probably make a short video of this piece because the photos only hint at how nice this piece is.
I almost didn't buy this batch of Koa because it was old pieces cut about 3/4" thick. But the guy I got it from told me that it would be something I would want. Glad I trusted his judgement.
 
Burl Source said:
Can a piece of wood be too pretty to use?

There have been a few times I have heard people say that a piece of wood they got was just too pretty to use and that they were just going to keep it as it is. Well......today that happened to me.

This piece of Koa is not for sale. I just thought it was so darned pretty I had to show off to you guys.


1-2.jpg

3-1.jpg


I should probably make a short video of this piece because the photos only hint at how nice this piece is.
I almost didn't buy this batch of Koa because it was old pieces cut about 3/4" thick. But the guy I got it from told me that it would be something I would want. Glad I trusted his judgement.
Click to expand...

What's your address?

:D
 
Wow. I'm not usually a Koa fan, but that is spectacular. I agree with Karl though, put it on a knife. A nice elegant dagger or something. It's a bit thin but if you split it for scales you'd be fine, or a trim hiddden tang design. It's just too pretty to do nothing with. I couldn't do it justice but I'd save it until I could and then make a presentation piece with it.
 
I think it's too pretty NOT to use. Just think how that grain will shimmer and flow when carved into a nice, basic handle shape. That block just cries out to be used on an ABS-style bowie.
 
I agree with james....it is too pretty not to use. I can see a really fine yanagi-ba with that on it.
 
I have had a piece of heavily quilted Sapele, and an incredible, dense, swirly piece of Cocobolo in my shop for over 5 years. Just cannot decide what to use them for:(
 
bladsmth said:
I can see a really fine yanagi-ba with that on it.
Click to expand...

I don't know what that means, but I'll take your word for it :)

On the other hand, it is already a really lovely paperweight or doorstop. Your name in silver wire inlay on that block, would look uber-cool on your desk! Just don't cut it up into liners or spacers or beads or something :eek: Whatever makes the most use of the continguous piece, to show off the evenly-spaced nature of the "curls" and the general chatoyance would be a wise, respectful use of a great chunk of nature :thumbup:
 
Yanagi-ba = Japanese fish knife. Name means "Willow Blade".
It is what most people wrongly call a "sushi knife". They are long and thin and single beveled. They can be used for all fine cutting/slicing tasks in the kitchen.
 
mark, you should have phillip make you a knife and use that wood for the handle. i'm sure you would like whatever he did :D.
 
Here is a short video that might show this piece a little better.
[video=youtube_share;APiUcpOiwVE]http://youtu.be/APiUcpOiwVE[/video]
 
Awesome!

I have a piece of Koa from you that I got a few months ago. It was a small block but will make nice scales for a hunter, and the included 3/16" scale cut from it will make a great folder piece!
 
It's a nice piece, Mark, and I can certainly understand why you want to hold onto it. We both suffer from the same affliction in that regard. But I think if you were a knife maker you'd be unable to leave it in it's block form for very long. When you make things out of the wood you uncover new ways to view it that six flat sides will just never be able to express. Not that it's a direct comparison, but in another thread I showed a block of Amboyna Burl and then started the process of shaping a handle from it. The block itself had always fascinated me... but even it it's ugly rough cut state, the handle is even more fascinating. I honestly have trouble waiting to see what the end product looks like. Took a long time for me to be able to cut away any part of the beautiful block, but I'm sure glad I did. Anyone that had that block of Koa would likely feel the same joy at watching it's inner beauty come alive.
 
Very nice piece Mark! If someone hasnt talked you out of it bring it to the OKCA april show. Thats a Burl Source display piece for sure. However, id love to make the chantoyance dance with a piece of steel on it! GHaile
 
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