**ENDED** Knife blocks for knife blocks

[norman vandyke]

@isaacrapelje wanted some knife blocks of Russian olive burl. Here are three. I will have a couple more cut tomorrow. They are fairly wet still, so I have sealed them. A couple have plain end grain(pictures show) but it does not go far. Picture 3 shows a void on the side of the shorter block(about 1/8"deep). All checks seen are just on surface(will work out). Some nice black line spalting running along the grain a bit in these as well(not super noticeable but still there. Lol). Two of these are 1.25"x1.5". Shorter of those two is 4.8". Longer is 5.25". Third, pictured alone is 1.25"x2"x5". Let me know if you're still interested.

 

[ironman123]

Cool looking wood.

 

[norman vandyke]

@isaacrapelje A few more. Two smaller ones have very small cracks that shouldn't be a problem when they get stabilized(these ones will need stabilizing). Top and middle ones have small bark inclusions as you can see in first picture. The two shorter blocks are just over 4.25" long. All are at least 1.25"x1.5". Let me know if any of these will work to go with the first three. I think I'll stop at 5 or 6 blocks total.

 

[isaacrapelje]

@norman vandyke I have lots of different woods of different values so not sure what you want to trade so lets start with these. I have four stabilized buckeye burl they are a little short under 5 inches. The pictures were not sanded so the figure will show better once sanded down but they are nice.


I also have unstabilized blocks starting in the upper left hand corner three buckeye burl (need stabilization), two amboyna burl (first one has a black inclusion) and one redwood block (eyes show on the sides).
Second row figured maple, spalted maple burl, curly mango, black line spalted maple burl (soft need stabilization), and honduran rosewood burl (only about 3/4-7/8 thick and irregular shape) I have other pieces.




I also will get you a piece of jarrah cut. Are you planning on stabilizing? If so I have lots of nice spalted maple burl if not you should stick with the more dense woods. Anyways let me know what most interests you and we can move forward. I am mostly looking for 3-5 of your best blocks with constant figure on both sides I like the one in the picture below), if I have to wait until you cut more I am in no hurry and in the mean time I can post some more different woods to trade. I would also be potentially interested in a whole burl for a hollow form.

 

[norman vandyke]

I'll keep my eye out for a nice size burl for you when I go looking tomorrow. I got nothing but small stuff right now.

 

[norman vandyke]

I'm trying to upload your pictures with the ones I like circled but it's not working, so the ones I like are 1 and 4 of three first group(2 stabilized buckeye). 1, 4 and 5 of second group(1 buckeye and 2 amboyna). 2, 4 and 5 of the third group(2 spalted maple burl and 1 hrb). 1 and 4 of the last picture(2 buckeye burl). I don't stabilize but I can always get someone to do it for me. I'd definitely like you see a pic of your jarrah.

 

[norman vandyke]

Got a couple better ones cut today. Burl through and end to end. They are 1.25x1.75x5 minimum.

 

[isaacrapelje]

Those two look great, any idea of the value of these blanks? I only ask since Russian olive burl is not commonly sold so I have no idea what they are worth and I want to offer a fair trade. Also any idea how far down the side the inclusion on the top one goes?
Here is a picture of the quality of jarrah I have. Your jarrah would have the same figure. Nearly all jarrah I have worked with has cell collapse where it dries it shrinks so it opens up tiny fissures but it can easily be filled by casting or by pouring dyed epoxy into the cracks. The burl is dry at least 10 years.

 

[norman vandyke]

That inclusion goes half way in, all the way through to the other side(i think it looks cool as all get out, so if you don't take it, I might just keep it. Lol). I don't really know the value of these burls either. I've looked for them online extensively and only found one place that sells and it's whole, small burls for around $100. I'd say due to the rarity, probably around $15-$25 each depending on quality. I don't charge anywhere near that much money on wb though and I have yet to test them on ebay. Ebay kinda sucks. That is excellent looking burl there! I really like the dark colors and I can get the cracks filled.

 

[isaacrapelje]

Here is some jarrah on the right with a stabilized amboyna block on the left for comparison. I have or can cut more jarrah if you want, these two have minimal cell colapse the one on the right has a little natural edge but should not effect the use.

 

[norman vandyke]

I definitely like all of those. I didn't realize how much amboyna and jarrah burl looked alike in color.

 

[norman vandyke]

So, these are the ones I'd like(marked with "x"). I'm mostly interested in the amboyna, jarrah, Honduran rosewood and maple(not that I wouldn't love to get the buckeye too), so if you don't feel like trading up so much at once, I understand. What would you like in return? I'll be cutting more stuff this week and can keep my eye out for a good size burl. What size minimum are you looking for in a burl for hollow form? I have about 20 or so whole burls on hand right now. I've also attached photos, front and back of the knife blocks that I've cut so far(they are sealed). I'll get photos of my burls on hand and their measurements Monday for you.

 

[norman vandyke]

I got a picture of a couple whole burls that will fit a flat rate box.

Left burl: root nub will be trimmed to be right at 6"+. It is 7"+ at widest point and 6"+ at narrowest. This is the most solid of the two. Just under half bark is gone. This will have lots of eyes.

Right burl: just shy of 6" tall. 5"+ at narrowest and 6"+ at widest. A little light for its size, so I'm guessing it has some soft spots but it will also be full of eyes.

I can fit either of these in a mfrb with whatever knife blocks I end up having for you or if you like, I can ship both with knife blocks in a lfrb. These two were the best I could find to fit in a frb. Let me know if you wanna go for bigger one and we can figure something out.

 

[norman vandyke]

Whole burl requested by @isaacrapelje . I think this one will a super cool hollow form. Measurements are 12"+ long x 10.5"+ wide x 6.5"+ from top to where root meets burl. It is kind of oval/disk shaped. Burl on all sides plus top and bottom I think the only place there isn't burl is at the roots.

Side opposite side end opposite end top bottom

 

[El Guapo]

I can vouch for his Jarrah burl... it is beautiful stuff! Not that @isaacrapelje needs anyone to vouch for him, he always has insane burls!

 

[Wilson's Woodworking]

This thread is just making me that all these burls are not in my stash!

 

[norman vandyke]

Yeah.....

 

[Wilson's Woodworking]

Oh now that was just mean!

 

[norman vandyke]

Here are pictures of the burls you will be getting and the knife blocks to choose from. I think the 1st, 2nd and 4th blocks have the best eyes, personally. I found a box that should suffice once I trim up the root nubs a bit.