Ultra Cigar in Masur Birch

[jimwill48]

Gold and Silver Ultra Cigar Pen in: Masur Birch

Betula alba

Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.

 

[Fishinbo]

Gold means excellent.

 

[plantman]

Fantastic grain !! Very nice looking pen. Jim S

 

[Robert111]

That kit and that wood make a perfect duo. Nice choice!

 

[Jim Burr]

Wowzaa!! Just ordered some Ultra's the other day...this one is too cool!

 

[yaroslaw]

Really nice pen!

But, for Masur Birch
Karelia is in RUSSIA)) And here (xUSSR countries) it is usually called karelian birch.

There is NO CLUE what causes this kind of figure, it occures only in one specie of birch in about 1:10 proportion. It's not burl in usual way, it is grain structure - if a tree has it, it is in all portions of it. It is very-very-very expensive wood, and in Karelia all Masur Birch trees in forests are counted and documented, and there is quota for how many wood can be cut in a year. Actually, Karelian Birch is Karelia national treasure.

Hope that helps (it makes your pen 3 time as expensive, mind you!

 

[mrcook4570]

Beautiful grain in that blank and great work by you!