What is wrong with this wood? I like it but.....

Burl Source

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I think this wood is really cool stuff but every time I list pieces of it, nobody buys any of it. There have been a few exceptions but not many.

The type of wood I am talking about is California Red Gum Eucalyptus. Here is a photo of a block sanded to 120 grit.
1-4.jpg


When I sand it to 400 grit and wipe a coat of danish oil the figure shows up a little better.
2-3.jpg


I know part of the problem is that I can't seem to get a good photograph that is even close to how it looks in person. When I hold a piece in my hand the colors are more of a vivid red/pink and the figure is 3 dimensional with shimmering chatoyance. But when I take a photo it looks bland and dull.

This wood is very hard and sands really nicely. The figure is compact and fairly conservative, but really good. If I show it to someone in person they almost always buy some. But online with my photos, I can hardly give it away.

My opinion is that knife makers are missing out on some really good handle wood. But that is just my opinion. I thought this would be great wood for kitchen knives, folders and presentation quality knives. But then maybe I am wrong.

I figure it's time for a second opinion so I thought I would ask you guys for some help. I have a dozen or so blocks of this already cut in my workshop that I would like to give away for some of you to try out and give your opinions. All I ask is that you pay shipping (US priority mail is $5, Canada is $10) and that you use it on a knife within the next month. When you are done post a photo of your results.

If you would like to be one of the testers just make a post in this thread. I am almost positive that once you try this out you will really like it, but I was hoping to hear that from you.

Thanks, Mark
 
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Mark,

I'll try some. But only if I can pay what it's worth. While I appreciate the offer, you have been more than fair in dealing with me. PM me a price and I'll pay pal you. Two blocks please.

Thanks, Greg
 
I would love to try some out and have a knife ready for it right now. However, I don't have a bandsaw; I hate to ask but would it be possible to have it cut to scale size first? If not that's totally fine, I can figure something out!

amcardon@gmail.com
 
You can't give me any of that crap. Keep that stuff away from me! ;)

I look forward to seeing what folks make from this stuff, although it sounds like we won't be able to as it is not photograph-able. Hmmmmm...sounds like you have your work cut out for you Mr. Salesman!
 
your correct in saying it looks excellent in person, i was gonna enquire for a few blocks and check the old threads, def nice wood.--marekz
 
G. Shahan said:
Mark,

I'll try some. But only if I can pay what it's worth. While I appreciate the offer, you have been more than fair in dealing with me. PM me a price and I'll pay pal you. Two blocks please.

Thanks, Greg
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Hey Greg,
We are going to have to come to some sort of compromise here. How about buy one and try one free. If that's ok with you it will be $15.
Thanks, Mark
 
How big is a block?

I can't promise to make a knife out of it within 30 days, but I AM planning on making a couple of muddlers out of hardwood, and I can finish that project within that time. Will that do?
 
amcardon said:
I would love to try some out and have a knife ready for it right now. However, I don't have a bandsaw; I hate to ask but would it be possible to have it cut to scale size first? If not that's totally fine, I can figure something out!

amcardon@gmail.com
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I've got some scales I can send. Just remind me in the notes section of paypal.

I forgot to tell you guys, my address for paypal is itsaburl@hotmail.com.

Farmer Phil, the photos of the finished knives will probably look better than mine. It won't take much in photography skills to out do me.

About 3 years ago I talked my boss into buying about a thousand dollars worth of this stuff from a guy with a veneer mill that closed down. Most of it has the tight fiddleback figure. I have quite a few slabs that are dry now and ready to start cutting in the spring.
 
Los Angeles said:
How big is a block?

I can't promise to make a knife out of it within 30 days, but I AM planning on making a couple of muddlers out of hardwood, and I can finish that project within that time. Will that do?
Click to expand...

Hey Los Angeles,
How big of block (within reason) do you want? I might be able to cut a piece special for your project. I made some kitchen utensils for home from this and they hold up real good. What is a muddler?
 
I would be more than happy to try some on my first knife,
I just have to drill some holes and send it out to HT then It wont be long,
I will be able to have it done within a month!!

I would need scales, I have no band saw

that is if you still have some available.
I can paypal in the morning, Please send me an email bigern26@gmail.com
 
Hi Mark

Just a suggestion. When I have trouble capturing the beauty of a piece of wood, my best rescue tool is a strong sunbeam. Get outside and try it morning - midday and near sunset. At least one of them should work - and each will capture a different character of the wood.

Rob!
 
KnifeMaker.ca said:
Hi Mark

Just a suggestion. When I have trouble capturing the beauty of a piece of wood, my best rescue tool is a strong sunbeam. Get outside and try it morning - midday and near sunset. At least one of them should work - and each will capture a different character of the wood.

Rob!
Click to expand...

I will have to try that. The sun accidentally came out for a few minutes today.
 
Burl Source said:
....About 3 years ago I talked my boss into buying about a thousand dollars worth of this stuff from a guy with a veneer mill that closed down. Most of it has the tight fiddleback figure. I have quite a few slabs that are dry now and ready to start cutting in the spring.
Click to expand...

Sounds like some boxes might be interesting!
 
I have a little of it (one of your few exceptions I think). A little looking around on the web and it seems to have a reputation for moving even after drying. Is this correct? If so, it's a potential problem for knife handles.
 
Dan Pierson said:
I have a little of it (one of your few exceptions I think). A little looking around on the web and it seems to have a reputation for moving even after drying. Is this correct? If so, it's a potential problem for knife handles.
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It was slow drying and moved a lot during the first year. At home I have a journal I made for my wife using 2 pieces for the cover that are 8" x 10" x 1/4" thick. Both pieces still lay flat, no warp or cupping.

I just spent about a half hour googling red gum eucalyptus. The biggest problem is in the initial drying. It cracks and moves like crazy. After that is done it settles down to be a very stable wood. The California Red Gum Eucalyptus was imported from Australia and is one of the hardest varieties of Eucalyptus. When I cut up the slabs we milled 3 years ago I usually have at least 1/3 waste. That's probably why it's not used much commercially. A lot like burl. A lot of work and a lot of waste but what you end up with sure is nice stuff.
 
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Burl Source said:
Hey Los Angeles,
How big of block (within reason) do you want? I might be able to cut a piece special for your project. I made some kitchen utensils for home from this and they hold up real good. What is a muddler?
Click to expand...

Nah, don't go to any extra trouble. If you have a longer block laying around, then I could use it, if not, no biggie.

A muddler is used in cooking and bartending to mash leaves/herbs/rinds and juice hard fruits like apples or grapes. If you've ordered a mojito and the bartender used fresh mint, the mint was likely made with a muddler. Most wooden muddlers are turned, but I don't have a lathe, so I'm planning on carving something with a bit of asymmetry.


A decent muddler sized block would be about 9" x 1.5 x 1.5.

Here's just one example of what a muddler could look like.

black-ribbed-muddler.jpg
 
I have used CA redgum eucalyptus once. I cut a burl cap from a tree and tried to dry it out. When cut, the burl center was full of large voids that were spiraled and full of black tar-like stuff. Apparently I dried it too fast (2 yrs) because when I cut into it, it was so cracked and checked that it was unusable. I tried and tried, and managed to get one piece that was almost big enough for a handle. The wood was beautiful and I have since cut another burl and am drying it as slowly as I can. Here is a pic of the one knife I managed to get from a 20 lb burl. Live and learn.

-Mike

picture.php
 
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