Thread: NOT a challenge - a couple of Questions

Hi Ironwood,

Most of my wood was obtained adventiously and opportunistically. Much was bought from dealers around the country from WA Qld NSW and across Vic, some from from dealers overseas, some was collected on my many outback adventures, some bought at IWCS auctions, more exchanged and some gifted, occasionally in exchange for something. I've tried to put the brakes on and largely have. My focus was on diversity, beauty and rarity- no surprise. I try to limit my upper costs for fine pen blanks to $5 but some are much higher because of their extreme rarity or beauty. Depends. That does not mean they are worth it! That prices probably indicates I don't wish to sell it maybe is a measure of my attachment ie means (psychologically) I really don't want to sell them. For the best pens selling for $100- $130 or more $10 for an extreme wood seems about right... unless you give them away and I often do.

Yes, sellers always show the best most attractive side (because they want to sell items) but the other sides should be also shown, or at least mentioned. I tell myself that! With many blanks it requires more and careful photography. For a few dollars it may not seems worth it. I've seen cracks / holes in knife handles and pens, not filled to hide ./ disguise them but to exaggerate / make a feature eg with bright pigmented polymers and they can look stunning. I think Gab may do this. But borer holes are not nice. Stabilised, punky and spalted wood can also look fantastic.

Hi Don, Good to hear from you. Thanks for your response and ideas.

Like you, I like Aussie hardwoods too, especially the desert hardwoods. I have a soft spot for some softwood from Tasmania though. Even cutting wood on a bandsaw as I do can be satisfying as it was when cutting up some glorious spalted peppermint. I rarely get a chance to talk to woodies except when they visit or at IWCS events. As you say, exploring the history and provenance of a wood can add interest and value.

Cheers, Euge