Crotch Walnut Hollow Form and a decision

[Ken Glass]

Fellow Turners,
Here is a Crotch Walnut Hollow Form I just finished (or maybe not yet finished.) It is 7" across and 6 " tall. thinned to 1/4". This is out of a huge 10"x10'x36" piece of Walnut Crotch Wood a friend gave me. It was incredibly heavy. It is Beall buffed with Trip and Ren Wax. The Finial is Holly and is 5-1/2" tall. It has some nice grain without being discolored as Holly can get sometimes. I have yet to put any finish on the Finial as I am wondering if I should Ebonize it or leave it white. SWMBO says leave it white and just a clear gloss finish. What do you peeps think? Oh, yeah, comments are always welcome too.

[Jim Burr]

Interesting shape...meaning I like it! Leave it white.

[Richard Crick]

I really like the form. Beautiful piece of walnut and I think the white is a great contrast!

[Michelle Rich]

I vote for white..very nice finial, and the neck transition is interesting. beautiful sanding/finishing

[Tom Collins]

Ken, nice form on this piece. Better stick with SWMO and go with the white finial. Did you turn this green to finish or did you roughout, dry and return? I have some large walnut crotch to work up and I'm not sure how to go with it.

TomC

[Bill Wyko]

I say leave it white too. For some reason it makes me ponder the piece more. It almost seems like a drop of water with a mountain range seen through it. Well done sir.

[Steve Vaughan]

Love the color contrast - the darkness of the walnut and the white finial. Very nice design and great fit on the top to HF. Really makes you want to pick it up and hold it.

[Ken Glass]

Tom,
This is roughed, dried for several weeks and then finish turned. I anchor sealed the whole big crotch piece and this piece was almost dripping with moisture after I roughed it out.

[John Keeton]

Very nice piece, Ken!! I vote for white, as well, but I would prefer a matte finish. For my tastes, the white matte would contrast nicely with the gloss walnut - which, by the way, is a beautiful piece of wood!

[Roger Chandler]

White will show so much better than an ebonized...........

[David E Keller]

Neat stuff! Between black and white... I'd leave it off! I think I like it best sans finial. I really like the main form.

[Betty Fox]

I'm going to be different and say go for the black finial. The white, I think, distracts too much from the piece.
Beautiful piece by the way.

[John Beaver]

I like the white but I think it's a little overpowering in size. I think a smaller white finial would be perfect. Black would be kind of lost against the walnut.

[Doug W Swanson]

I'd leave it white! Nicely done!

[Roland Martin]

That's a beautiful hunk of walnut with a great shape, I'd stay with white, but you can't hurt this either way.

[Wally Dickerman]

I'll go with the white too. I suggest slimming the bulb down a bit. A little overpowering as it is IMO. Leave the gloss off.

[Brian Effinger]

I like this form a lot, Ken, and the finial is really elegant. I agree with the others on the matte white, and like Wally said - slim down the bulb a little. The only other comment I have is on the transition from the form to the finial. As the curve of the form approaches the mouth, it changes direction slightly and make a little bump as it transitions into the finial. I think that may be why David prefers the form, sans finial. I'd like to see the walnut smootly flow right into the base of the finial, right up to the fillet. Just a minor nit pick, though. As I said, I reallly like your piece. Well done. :)

[Ken Glass]

After the voting, it looks like it will stay White. I think I will use a matte finish as John suggested, as it seems best for this one. Thanks for all the comments.

[Baxter Smith]

Since I am to late to vote and be counted,;)I will just say nice work and good choice!