A bit of exotica from my homeland

[Jimjam66]

While we were holidaying in Bournemouth last week I came across a South African shop selling, amongst other things, firewood imported from Southern Africa. Now while it may be bl**dy expensive firewood, this will yield a tidy amount of pen blanks which I'm hoping might appeal to the thriving expat community here in the UK.

The wood is Kameeldoring, also known as Giraffethorn (in Afrikaans a giraffe is a kameelperd, literally a camelhorse). It has vicious thorns but giraffes have thorn-resistant tongues and lips, and you often see photos of them wrapping their tongues around the upper thin branches and pulling off the leaves to munch on.

I have no idea how it will turn, but will report back once I have had a crack at it.

 

[Grump]

It has a nice colour to it if nothing else

 

[Jed Baxter]

Does it need stabilizing Jim.

 

[wm460]

Great colours in that Jim.

 

[Penpal]

Cut on the cross with neat sapwood like that it has promise of a top pen with hardness usually comes a smooth finish. What does it cost?

Peter.

 

[bassethound]

Looks interesting wood, be nice to see it turned..

 

[silver]

Interesting..

Look forward to seeing the results David..

 

[chas_41_uk]

Interesting..

Look forward to seeing the results David..

What Eamonn said

 

[paulm]

I look forward to seeing the results David...

It seems to have magical powers and already converted a few to the plonkers club (Jim)

 

[Doug]

A look at his site reveals he imports 3 other timbers as well as the one you bought David, the Sekelbos also looks like it would lend itself to pen turning.
Look forward to seeing the impending pens.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Looks promising !

 

[Winemaker]

Can't wait to see how it turns

 

[Jimjam66]

Does it need stabilizing Jim.

I wouldn't have thought so, Jed - it's pretty hard and reasonably dense. Time will tell, though.

I look forward to seeing the results David...

It seems to have magical powers and already converted a few to the plonkers club (Jim)

I guess I only have myself to blame for that ... But we in the Plonkers Club always welcome new members, ain't that right Paul?

Cut on the cross with neat sapwood like that it has promise of a top pen with hardness usually comes a smooth finish. What does it cost?

Peter.

It was £15 for 9kg, which is extortionate for firewood but I can see 20 to 30 pen blanks coming out of it.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Look promising, hope it turns & finishes well.

 

[Skil Phil]

Does turn nicely. Has got some nice colouring as well. Doesn't need stabilizing but maybe some CA to fill cracks. It is not soft-punky by any means.
There are a lot more 'doring' trees around which have a lot of character as well.
The sekelbush I know as 'sickel bush' Another hard wood which is great for a braai but has a lot of colour and turns well.
I bet you are paying a premium for this 'fire wood'
Enjoy and buy more.
Phil

 

[Jimjam66]

I bet you are paying a premium for this 'fire wood'

I'd say! Roughly R300 for a 9kg bag ...

 

[Jim]

Looking forward to seeing the first Giraffe wood Pen in the forums David .. Certainly is expensive firewood ..

I bet the War Office could chew those thorns from the Giraffethorn tree too ..

 

[silver]

Have you done anything with the firewood yet?


Waiting..

 

[Jimjam66]

Roughed one blank to round, found out that the sapwood (a) is very brittle, and (b) has played host to an army of woodworm. Not a tragedy, but a little more work will be required unless I just stick to the heartwood. More to follow ...

 

[wm460]

I'd say! Roughly R300 for a 9kg bag ...

31.87 Australian Dollar