Conkerberry. Carissa Lanceolata

[PenPal]

Classified as rare and I can vouch for that this Tree Shrub only grows about nine feet over a long period of time in pretty inhospitable arid areas around two thousand miles from me.Everything seems to want a piece of it it has white tubular leaves that turn to black edible fruits, also stock seek it out in drought times and since this applies to a large part of Australia and has for years now it is getting more scarce. It has a prickly exterior.

It is one of my favourites as you can see it has a dull orange to bright orange heartwood, narrow darker growth rings, sapwood is white to pale brown.These two pieces were all I could cut across the grain the last pic shows a cut piece that has splits and is hollowed out by white ants behind.

Dont you just love the chase and the making when you really prefer a timber.

Peter.

 

[CaptG]

Great looking pens, never heard of that wood, but it really does look nice.

 

[toolcrazy]

Very nice.

 

[Ligget]

Beautiful wood, I like the shape you made it too!

 

[papaturner]

Love to hear about the wood.........Awesome pens.

 

[wdcav1952]

Peter, that is some nice work! I would like to see a pen from this wood that makes the beauty of the wood the focal point rather than the beadwork being the focal point.

 

[Dalecamino]

Very nice looking color . Thanks for the education ! Nice work .

 

[workinforwood]

Wow...that wood is awesome, I want some too! I'll take 500 bf please. She shape on those pens is interesting..combined with the color and finish it's making me crave some candy. When you fill that wood order..don't worry about the white ants...I'll resinate the cripey little buggers right into the pen!

 

[wm460]

Very nice pen, love the wood.
I live a couple thousand miles from where you are, and it's very common around there,
The fruit is quite nice to eat. Look like I will have to go out bush.

 

[bitshird]

Nice little pen, and a most unusual wood, very pretty, I also like the way you turned the pen.

 

[YORKGUM]

Interesting. never seen that wood before.

 

[ironman]

That is ugly no offense

 

[johncrane]

Peter!
very nice pen and finish, the sanding would have been a real task also your tool work is excellent:biggrin: