Thread: Putting my foot in it...

Ha! Another great one

WOW, good that you persevered with it because the finish looks great.

Thanks Rob, As I said, I've never seen grain like it before. Huon pine has a reputation for being easy to carve and for the most part I guess its deserved... then you get this piece which was obviously possessed.... The grain reminds me of the close up photos of Jupiter's cloud bands, all roiling and going against each other in opposite directions. I had a guy on another site that said he experienced a similar thing in yew. I was wondering how common it was.

I've found it to be very common, my guess is that it's a reaction to tension or compression like at a branch juncture or in the base of the tree. While it's appealing in character, as you've found it's difficult to work with. It's like there's more resin than fibre or something and it often cracks if the tension is released by cutting it away from its surrounds and in that respect it's probably best to leave it captured within as much normal grain as possible. I've found it can be brittle too and it certainly won't soak up any finish applied to it compared to the normal grain. That's my two bobs anyway

Hi, I have been using Huon now for about 7 to 8 years now for Jewellery Boxes and a number of other items and hve seen some unusual grain patterns etc but nothing quite like that spectacular piece you have there.Lucky you I'm turning green just looking at it. Great find and great work.Brian.