Mgurue Blanks

[Big Ry]

Mgurure (Combretum schumannii) is one of the hardest woods in Africa, and one I'd been seeking to add to my collection for some time. I was made aware of a dealer in the UK that had some in stock, so I cleaned them out. I'm keeping some for myself obviously, but the rest I'm offering for sale here.

Prices (excluding actual shipping via Pirate Ship):​

• 1.5" x 1.5" x 12" Blanks = $14 EA (SOLD)
• 2" x 2" x 12" Blanks = $20 EA (3 Available, 2 Sold)
• 6" x 6" x 2" Bowl Blanks = $30 EA (4 Available, 3 Sold)
• Fingerboards in the photo are not for sale

These are very heavy and naturally waxy. All blanks are rough cut. Blanks are free of checks and splits, though I did notice that a couple had a small knot. They're all 100% heartwood, except 1 of the 1.5" blanks has a sappy corner. Ends are sealed.

I sanded a couple sides of a 2" blank and bowl blank just for photos. Photos are dry and alcohol sprayed.

 

[daniscool]

Oh. What dealer? The UK is a bit closer to me than the US.

These guys seem to have had some in the past. https://exoticwood.biz/product-category/leadwood/

 

[Big Ry]

Oh. What dealer? The UK is a bit closer to me than the US.

These guys seem to have had some in the past. https://exoticwood.biz/product-category/leadwood/

I got these from Woodwise UK. They are the only dealer Ive ever seen anywhere that is actively selling Combretum schumannii (Mgurure); most others sell Combretum imberbe (just "Leadwood").

Also, Woodwise still has cookies for sale, but they are marketed as "Leadwood", not "Mgurure" like the pieces I bought. So I assumed these were probably Combretum imberbe cookies.

And yes, Griffin and DomEx hardwoods are the only US suppliers that Ive found with a sale page for Combretum schumannii, but both are out of stock and have been for as long as Ive been looking.

 

[daveflutes]

Could you save me a spindle blank at 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" please? I kept seeing these pieces but they were too large for me so it would be great to get just one spindle.

 

[daniscool]

Could you save me a spindle blank at 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" please? I kept seeing these pieces but they were too large for me so it would be great to get just one spindle.

If you get some off cuts can you keep me in mind? I don’t need much as you know.

I’m still working on our trade. I’m just running into unexpected roadblocks. Same for @Friedrich9 and @SA-Motors

 

[Mr. Peet]

Ryan,

Any of those 6x6x2 have sapwood too? If so, set a block aside for me. Not at all familiar with that wood. Surprised to see how big the pores appear on the face grain.

 

[Big Ry]

Could you save me a spindle blank at 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" please? I kept seeing these pieces but they were too large for me so it would be great to get just one spindle.

Yeah, you got it. Would be perfect to fit in to the deal with the Holly.

 

[Big Ry]

Ryan,

Any of those 6x6x2 have sapwood too? If so, set a block aside for me. Not at all familiar with that wood. Surprised to see how big the pores appear on the face grain.

I'll double check, but i don't think the bowls had any sapwood. If any do, it's probably so little that it'll get turned away anyway.

Why are the pores surprising? I haven't exposed any end grain, but it doesn't feel like it would be very porous. Aside from the shear density, it feels relatively smooth to the touch, and that combined with the waxiness makes it feel very similar to African blackwood. I was actually reading yesterday that it was sometimes used in carvings just like African blackwood, though nothing about this stuff seems like it would be fun to carve lol

 

[daniscool]

I'll double check, but i don't think the bowls had any sapwood. If any do, it's probably so little that it'll get turned away anyway.

Why are the pores surprising? I haven't exposed any end grain, but it doesn't feel like it would be very porous. Aside from the shear density, it feels relatively smooth to the touch, and that combined with the waxiness makes it feel very similar to African blackwood. I was actually reading yesterday that it was sometimes used in carvings just like African blackwood, though nothing about this stuff seems like it would be fun to carve lol

It has quite a fine grain. It is also quite waxy making a smoother cut and leaving a really nice blade finish.

Quite nice to carve. African blackwood and leadwood have the same problem though: Hardness. They are really really hard.

 

[Big Ry]

It has quite a fine grain. It is also quite waxy making a smoother cut and leaving a really nice blade finish.

Quite nice to carve. African blackwood and leadwood have the same problem though: Hardness. They are really really hard.

Yeah it's not the hardest sanding wood I've dealt with, but i wouldn't say it sands easily. I could see that translating to carving.

 

[daniscool]

Yeah it's not the hardest sanding wood I've dealt with, but i wouldn't say it sands easily. I could see that translating to carving.

Most experienced carvers don't sand. (An inexperienced carver won't be using leadwood)

The same way you can get a finish ready surface straight from a hand plane you can blade finish with carving tools. Anyway, the waxy- and oiliness of the wood would make it hard to sand. It clogs up sandpaper quite quickly in my experience.

 

[Nature Man]

Mgurure (Combretum schumannii) is one of the hardest woods in Africa, and one I'd been seeking to add to my collection for some time. I was made aware of a dealer in the UK that had some in stock, so I cleaned them out. I'm keeping some for myself obviously, but the rest I'm offering for sale here.

Prices (excluding actual shipping via Pirate Ship):​

• 1.5" x 1.5" x 12" Blanks = $14 EA (8 Available)
• 2" x 2" x 12" Blanks = $20 EA (5 Available)
• 6" x 6" x 2" Bowl Blanks = $30 EA (7 Available)
• Fingerboards in the photo are not for sale

These are very heavy and naturally waxy. All blanks are rough cut. Blanks are free of checks and splits, though I did notice that a couple had a small knot. They're all 100% heartwood, except 1 of the 1.5" blanks has a sappy corner. Ends are sealed.

I sanded a couple sides of a 2" blank and bowl blank just for photos. Photos are dry and alcohol sprayed.

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View attachment 287158

I would like (1) 1.5x1.5x12. Thanks! Chuck

 

[Big Ry]

Most experienced carvers don't sand. (An inexperienced carver won't be using leadwood)

The same way you can get a finish ready surface straight from a hand plane you can blade finish with carving tools. Anyway, the waxy- and oiliness of the wood would make it hard to sand. It clogs up sandpaper quite quickly in my experience.

Understood. I was just saying that sandability is related to carvability.

 

[Big Ry]

I would like (1) 1.5x1.5x12. Thanks! Chuck

You got it. I'll PM a little later after i drop the kids off at daycare.

 

[Mr. Peet]

I'll double check, but i don't think the bowls had any sapwood. If any do, it's probably so little that it'll get turned away anyway.

Why are the pores surprising? I haven't exposed any end grain, but it doesn't feel like it would be very porous. Aside from the shear density, it feels relatively smooth to the touch, and that combined with the waxiness makes it feel very similar to African blackwood. I was actually reading yesterday that it was sometimes used in carvings just like African blackwood, though nothing about this stuff seems like it would be fun to carve lol

I don't have any reference samples of this species. So, I would not be turning it but making a sample. So if there is sapwood on an edge, that would work. The remainder I would likely set aside for knife handles or other small craft.

The comment on pores, in post 1 the black lines and squiggles look like pronounced vessels and from that had assumed larger pores. At least larger looking than those seen in other species I have from that genus.

 

[Big Ry]

I don't have any reference samples of this species. So, I would not be turning it but making a sample. So if there is sapwood on an edge, that would work. The remainder I would likely set aside for knife handles or other small craft.

The comment on pores, in post 1 the black lines and squiggles look like pronounced vessels and from that had assumed larger pores. At least larger looking than those seen in other species I have from that genus.

I did double check and none of the bowl blanks have any sapwood. One has a light streak through it, but i don't think it's sapwood.

I don't think i have anything else from this genus to compare to. I don't even know what other species come from the genus, but it's not a genus I'm familiar with.

 

[daniscool]

I did double check and none of the bowl blanks have any sapwood. One has a light streak through it, but i don't think it's sapwood.

I don't think i have anything else from this genus to compare to. I don't even know what other species come from the genus, but it's not a genus I'm familiar with.

In your original post you said that one of the spindles has a sappy corner. That might work.

 

[Mr. Peet]

I did double check and none of the bowl blanks have any sapwood. One has a light streak through it, but i don't think it's sapwood.

I don't think i have anything else from this genus to compare to. I don't even know what other species come from the genus, but it's not a genus I'm familiar with.

Thanks for looking.

Combretum imberbe, Leadwood is likely the most famous of the genus. Combretum apiculatum, Red Bush Willow is the only other one from that genus I have worked, so I can't say much either.

 

[Big Ry]

Thanks for looking.

Combretum imberbe, Leadwood is likely the most famous of the genus. Combretum apiculatum, Red Bush Willow is the only other one from that genus I have worked, so I can't say much either.

I've seen imberbe for sale but don't own any

 

[Big Ry]

In your original post you said that one of the spindles has a sappy corner. That might work.

I think Mark wants a IWCS sample which is wider than a 1.5" blank, so he'd have to glue it which isn't ideal.