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| Here is the inspiration picture for this piece: Source: stinemos.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest |
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| These are reclaimed fir boards from old Oregon barns. We do not use reclaimed wood very often. |
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| Some reasons not to use reclaimed wood are: high moisture content: two problems with this: first, the wood will shrink in width and may warp over time. second, moisture inhibits finish penetration. More problems with salvaged wood: birdshot and nails which ruin knives // rot and fragility // SPLINTERS // |
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| Salvaged wood, if it is ever to be used, must be done strategically - we would never use it for anything except a top such as this one. The boards did not come straight off the barn looking like this and required hours upon hours of manipulation to impart a soft blonde color; (their natural inclination under oils is toward a screeching dark orange) harden the soft spots (90 percent of the entire board); add "convincing" "worm" holes with an awl (these are NOT natural; this is Oregon, the natural ones were HUUUGE); re-create the eroded, up and down grain on the cut ends and any areas that had to be shaped; and de-splinterize the entire length so that it could be wiped with a rag. |
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| This close view of the foot shows a lot of wear here, as it should be. The base coat was avocado, and the intermediate coat a soft dove grey. |
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| Showing a little bit of crackle here and there... |
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| The finished piece went to live in Wisconsin. |
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