Karelian Birch

[Klaus Kretschmar]

Hi Creekers,

another Dovetail Saw thread http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif We've made one for a customer of Finland who provided us the handle wood. We think it´s worth to be shared. He sent us a piece of Karelian Birch. I've never seen this wood before so I was more than curious. The tree is native only in small regions of Finland, Russia and Sweden. Even there it´s rather expensive.

The customer is well experienced in working with this wood. So we listened his proposals with open ears http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowsmile.gif Due to the fact that this amazing wood doesn't show a consistent grain direction we agreed to adapt our usual handle design slightly. The transition between cheeks and grip is slightly thicker as the horns are, too.

It´s a 9" saw filed to 18 TPI rip in our High End design with ovally shaped spine.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDDPqFCu7YA/TYTVCaBpVeI/AAAAAAAABHw/cLSsOdMI8QY/s1600/P1020050%2Bklein.jpg

More pics can be seen on our blog.

Thanks for looking.

Klaus

[David Weaver]

Looks fabulous as usual, klaus.

One cannot know just how hard it is to create a photo-perfect tool like that until you think you did it, took a picture, and then saw all sorts of things that didn't appear to you until you saw the picture!

I like the more substantial neck, too - it's very attractive.

[Klaus Kretschmar]

Thank you David!

I agree completely, the mercylessness of pics can be rather cruel. It wasn't just once that I refinished a handle which I thought to be fine after having taken some pics ...

Klaus

[Jim Matthews]

Makes for excellent Puuko handles, too.

I'm not sure I want a tool that's prettier (gemuthlich?) than my furniture...

[Johnny Kleso]

Very Nice Looking Saw Klaus :)

[Jim Koepke]

Absolutely Amazing.

jtk

[Andrew Gibson]

first word that came to mind was "Sexy".


edit*
Hello, my name is Andrew and I am a toolahaulic.

[Frank Drew]

It looks like another figured European birch I used to see occasionally called Masur Birch, but they might be the same wood by different names.

[Matt Evans]

Very nice, Klaus. . .

Puts pretty much all of my tools to shame. One of these days I am going to spring for a good custom saw, but until that day folks like you are going to keep me drooling on my keyboard.

[Klaus Kretschmar]

Many thanks for your kind comments, gentlemen.

@ Frank: You're right, the wood is also called Masur Birch and that name seems to be more common in the U.S.

Klaus

[George Beck]

Klaus

Beautiful! I like this very much. ( I may just need to get one). Not to Takeover a thread but I must say the two saws you made for me are nothing short of unbelievable in performance! I have been busy and have not had a chance to really comment. The cut is very thin (.012) and just a pleasure. I cannot express my pleasure well enough.

George

191372

[Klaus Kretschmar]

George,

thanks a lot! I´m more than happy to hear that your saws do their jobs well in the daily use. Pedder will be happy even more since he made the blades. One can say that Pedder is responsible for the performance of the tool while it is my part to make sure that it doesn't look ugly :-)

There is another small piece of Karelian Birch laying in my shop just large enough for one open handle ... :-)

Klaus