Osage Orange is a downright beautiful and extremely hard wood. Also known as bodark, horseapple, and even hedgeapple. This winged spice box has all kinds of rustic things going for it. One of the other unique things about this wood is that Mamma Nature turns it to a burnt orange color as part of an oxidation process over time. Nothing you can do about it, it simply is that way. There are some decorative lines burned in to lid. And, you will see the usual stress cracks that are typical with this wood. They do not affect it’s usage or durability. Use it with confidence as the wood was first sealed with food grade walnut oil and then finished with a walnut oil/shellac mixture. Using a combination such as this gives the box a nice hard long lasting natural finish. I used a mix of coffee grounds and kosher salt as the spice fill for the photos. I left some on it here and there for the photos to simulate usage. The length of the box is 6” and the width is 3 ¾”. The total height is 3 ½” and the vessel height is 1 ¾” with a depth of 1”. The volume measures at ½ cup. You gotta love it so don’t pass this up. 16Aug17 BXBA34 For more info see:
A truly difficult box to turn and a very good job you have made of it my friend. Bodark has a lovely colour and is even more beautiful when it has gotten darker over time. The added burnt lines and the rustic nature of this wood makes this box a truly beautiful piece of turning no I mean Art I have seen for a very long time. Well done Dave.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Les! Your comments are helpful and encouraging all at the same time. There are some who don't care for it, but like you I do like the darker color. Of course we are rustic kind of guys! I have some more small bodark left and will be getting into it soon. But, first I gotta cut into some of that pecan I just brought in a couple of weeks ago. Then more bodark and other woods.
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