ash serving spoon

[forginhill]

My wife was out on an errand and came upon some tree surgeons cutting down ash trees. She stopped and asked for some of the wood, which they generously loaded into the minivan. I've used other ash wood, but it's never been yellow like this. I went back and looked at the trees and they were definitely ash. Oh well, I'm not complaining....

 

[crosslandkelly]

That's a good looking spoon, nice grain.

 

[Muddypaws]

Lovely spoon! The yellow colouring is really attractive.

 

[humdrum_hostage]

Funnily enough I had some yellow wood last year and was trying to work out what it was. It turned out to be from a "smoke tree" and had no reason to be yellow!



Nice spoon by the way. I really like your work and don't know why I can't get a spoon that smooth without sanding!

Chris

 

[forginhill]

Thanks, crosslandkelly, Muddypaws, and Chris. Chris, that wood looks very much like what I made my spoon from. What is a "smoke tree"? Wish I could sit down with you on the finishing aspect. Sharp tools are key. For the bowl I use a gouge mostly, but lately I've been also using the curved knife (made by Ben Orford). I've also been experimenting with a final burnishing rub with a piece of antler. Seems to help.

 

[Mesquite]

That's a beautiful shape and wood there and your finish is impeccable as ever FH

 

[humdrum_hostage]

Thanks, crosslandkelly, Muddypaws, and Chris. Chris, that wood looks very much like what I made my spoon from. What is a "smoke tree"? Wish I could sit down with you on the finishing aspect. Sharp tools are key. For the bowl I use a gouge mostly, but lately I've been also using the curved knife (made by Ben Orford). I've also been experimenting with a final burnishing rub with a piece of antler. Seems to help.

It's called the smoke bush or smoke tree as the flowers from a distance make it look like it's smoking.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotinus

It comes in green or deep purple leaf.

The only reason I can think it was yellow is due to fungus as it is normally a white grain and this one had fallen and carried on growing lying on the floor and grew upwards again.

In my acorn thread the yellow one on the right is the same wood.

 

[DocG]

Interesting info and inspiring work: thanks for sharing.

 

[jakunen]

Beautiful piece of work.
I've found as can be quite yellow sometimes, but no idea why...

 

[TheStickmaker]

Nice work guys