Holm Oak

[Chris152]

Purely for the grain, not for the shape I made.

I think it's stunning. It's really hard wood, but turns nicely. I'd planned to carve into a section of the surface but seeing the grain, decided it was quite happy doing its own thing!

 

[Mike G]

Wow, is that normal? That's quite a special.

 

[Lurker]

I wonder if the black is the remnant of a fence wire that the tree swallowed up as it grew.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Holm oak is prone to cracking so maybe it's water damage.

 

[Malc2098]

Nice.

 

[Chris152]

Wow, is that normal? That's quite a special.

I only know the wood from one tree, but the overall grain pattern is very much like this. Extraordinary sweeps and changes of grain direction, and I think the dark streak is - as Phil suggests - discolouration caused by splitting in/ around the pith, but it's still very dense and polishes nicely.

 

[TrimTheKing]

Stunning grain and the dark part enhances it beautifully. bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[AndyP]

I agree.
But what is the shape you have made. Is it a base for something else?

 

[Chris152]

It's for hanging on the wall to look at, Andy.

 

[AndyP]

And why not Chris. Well worth looking at.

 

[9fingers]

And why not Chris. Well worth looking at.

It could be a talking point?
As in WTF is that and why would it be on the wall? :lol: :lol:

Lovely bit of wood though. Years ago I made my niece a radiator cover that she wanted for her then new house and put a nice bit of holm oak on as a feature top shelf and it got painted !!

Bob

 

[Chris152]

Purely for the shape I made, not for the grain. Another 'wtf is it' piece.

Maple and acrylic, about 12".

Phil recommended Hope's sanding pads a few years ago; since then, I've struggled repeatedly to guess what grit I have on each, until today. A significant breakthrough most wouldn't have thought of.

Can't believe I didn't think of this sooner