Black Ash Burl HF

[Steve Schlumpf]

At the AAW St. Paul symposium this past June, I was given a beautiful piece of Black Ash burl by Cory Norgart. Cory specializes in Black Ash burl and had a booth at the symposium where he was selling blocks, blanks, caps and slabs – all of it was some seriously good looking wood!

I roughed out the burl that he gave me and posted about it back in July. You can see that thread here: Rough Out (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?169318-Thank-You-Cory-Norgart%21%21)

So, here is the finished beauty. It stands 4 ½” high x 3 ¾” diameter and is one of the thickest HFs I have ever done! I wanted to leave the cracks natural (no fill) and did not want to lose the piece, so left it around 5/16” thick. It was sanded to 1200 grit, given several coats of gloss wipe-on poly, been buffed and given a coat of Renaissance wax.

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As always your comments, critiques and opinions are welcome!

Thanks for looking!

[Scott Hackler]

That turned out real nice! I just love the look of black ash burl. I must have missed the line for the free burls! :)

[Jim Burr]

I only wish it was bigger! The finish is my favorite part...it's what I call a stealth finish...you know it's there, but the wood is all you see. I use the same thing on burl pen finishes. You did an amazing job of letting the wood stand out. Hope Cory comes to San Jose...I'll be first in line!

[Tim Rinehart]

who could NOT like black ash burl...you did this one proud. The stance of it kinda reminds me of someone standing sharp with shoulders back...gorgeous.

[Roger Chandler]

wow! what figure in that wood! nicely done Steve!

[Steve Vaughan]

Such a neat little piece! Beautiful grain and color and shape!

[Rich Greinert]

Steve, this is a beautiful little piece and I really like how the little divot in the rim adds so much character to the piece.

[charlie knighton]

very nice Steve, i like the transition from the eyes to the rays

[John Keeton]

Steve, you brought out the best of that burl!! Great little piece, and that sure is some awesome wood!

[Russell Eaton]

You sure did that piece justice. Nice form and finish. Incredible wood does not hurt a bit. Another great job. Thanks for showing. Russell

[Joe Landon]

Sweet...thanks for sharing.

[Tony De Masi]

Very nice Steve with a great piece of wood to boot.

[Richard Jones]

Steve,

Absolutely gorgeous.

I need to do more burl hunting. Grandbabies coming Friday, maybe we can go hunting on Saturday.......

Thanks for a great idea for an outing!!!! And for sharing your talent.

Rich

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a beauty Steve and you sure brought out the beauty of the wood.

[Nate Davey]

Beautiful Steve. I was going to ask if you could take a bath in it after seeing the last log you had on the AB, but then saw you posted the size. I love the satin sheen you have for the finish.

[Rich Aldrich]

Nice piece of ash! Nice work.

[Prashun Patel]

Steve- That's beautiful. I see you used your screw faceplate for this. Do you find that it holds very well?

[Bob Bergstrom]

I saw the piece and I said "Wow that has to be a really big burl that Steve just turned on his 3hp. American Beauty, then I read it was free, (no body gives away a burl that big), then I read the size. After a big sigh,:( I just sat and looked at how truly beautiful that small piece of wood is. Just goes to show you it is not the size that is important but how well the scale and proportions are. Great job. The relief at the rim into the void just adds to it all. Thanks for sharing and all you do here at the Creek.

[Fred Belknap]

Nice piece from a master craftsman.:)

[Roland Martin]

Beautiful piece Steve, a perfect form for a perfect burl.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

That's some good looking wood there Steve. You've got that from down too. Some how it looks bigger though. Not much of a work out for that Robust:D

[Pete Jordan]

I love everything about it! A masterpiece!

[Baxter Smith]

Great work on a great piece of wood Steve. Black Ash has to be one of the prettiest burls.

[Don Alexander]

looks like you did that gorgeous piece of wood proud

[Kathy Marshall]

That's a beautiful little form Steve and some awesome wood!

[robert raess]

Exquisite!!nothing to add nothing to take away.......

[Michelle Rich]

could not be prettier..well done.

[steven carter]

The last time I was in Michigan I was looking for black ash trees for several days.... the problem was once I found the tree, I was looking at the ground for mushrooms, I should have been looking for burls:mad:. Very nice HF! Did you paint or stain the inside or leave it natural?

I am sure there is a continuous curve all the way to the foot, but the photo makes it look like that is not the case near the foot, and everytime I take a photo of a HF it is the same thing -- any thoughts as to why this is? The finish is superb as usual, the grain really pops!

[Bill Embrey]

Super form and finish Steve... and that wood... Wow!!!! you could stare at that for hours and still not see it all. That is a busy burl :)

[Hayes Rutherford]

Nice use of that burl and as others have said, the finish is "just right"

[David Reed]

This chunk of burl has some real pizazz. No surprises here re the superb finish and proportions coming out of Steve's shop. I too like the 'rim treatment'; natural or not, it really adds interest to an already super interesting work.

[Rob Cunningham]

A very nice HF out of a beautiful piece of wood.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks everyone for all your comments! I do appreciate it!

Steve - I understand what you are saying about photos of HFs and vases. I am guessing that it has to do with camera perspective. Its not a true distortion but the viewing angle tends to make it appear that way. JMO.

[Jamie Donaldson]

Steve is very close Steve, as it is a combination of focal length and angle of perspective. It can be somewhat reduced by backing away and shooting with a longer focal length lens setting, camera height not too far above center line of the object. And Steve, that piece of ash is AMAZING!!!