[Woodcarver] Susan, love that holly

[Classic Carving Patterns]

AHHHH - SHOOT!

Now you tell me!  My very few pieces of holly have been sitting where I
carefully stored them a few years ago on top of one of the rafter in the
shop.  No one ever said, suggested, or hinted that they would turn gray
.... AHHH!  I never heard about brine water soaking ... AHHH!

Now see there!  That's exactly what I was talking about in my rant.  You
had that little bit of info that would have helped me keep the holly
that beautiful rich ivory white and I didn't have it when I stored the
wood.  I am almost afraid to go down and check what color it has turned.
Maybe since the pieces are fairly large (for holly), about 4" thick by
ten inches long there will be an inner section that will be nice.  I
have been hoping to eventually use it for some inlay touches on a future
project.  After watching Mike cut it on the band saw I QUICKLY abandoned
any thought of carving it.

Tom, you have proven my point about how important it is for everyone to
do a little sharing on this forum ... 

Susan

PS
Now ... Do you have any thoughts about English Walnut like the one you
shared on holly.  My other prized piece of wood is a 6" thick x 18" wide
x 24" high piece that came from a tree estimated to be about one hundred
years old when it was felled.  The tree stood in my Dad's backyard which
was approx a half acre.  I would estimate that the canopy covered half
of that land area and it produced about 6 to 10 bushels of walnuts
depending on the year.  When it had to come down he saved this piece for
his carving but never found 'just the right' pattern for it.  I
inherited it and like him have been saving it for when that right design
comes along.

Me, Again


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-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of
TWWOODWORK at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 3:32 PM
To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
Subject: [Woodcarver] Susan, love that holly


"Holly is a horrendously hard wood!"

    As a woodturner, I love it. It turns beautifully and when seasoned
right, looks almost like ivory.  The grain is magnificent, but I
wouldn't  consider trying to carve it other than perhaps with power
tools.
    Oh yes, if you ever cut a holly and want to work the wood later, put
it into brine water as soon after cutting as possible. I had a whole
tree soaking for almost a year. I understand that it is a bacteria that
causes it to turn gray unless soaked in salt water for about 6 months.
The tree I cut looks very white when turned. 
    Tom
    Thomas W. Horton
    Glen Mills, PA