Don Wade
Member
What does bog oak turn like and finish. Does it have any character or is the mystique just the age and story.
Thanks
Thanks
Turns easily and finishes nicely with either a polish, lacquer (my preference) or CA.
Character depends on the piece. Some pieces are so black that they hide all the grain, others will have streaks of brown running through them, and will have more the look of white oak in the grain (its english brown oak, but has rays similar american white oak).
The color depends on the iron content in the ground/water and how long its submerged. The iron reacts with the tannin in the oak to cause the black staining.
Bog oak is most commonly found in Ireland and the UK peat bogs, but other pieces are found in WV, Missourri, and parts of Russia so it can really be found anywhere that conditions are right (and has Oak trees). Other bog woods are Yew (less common than Oak) and Pine (rarest of the three). I've also heard of Willow, but never seen a piece.
I just got some Bog Oak from KiethKarl, and I have about 40 pieces in stock, some I've had since I started turning. My favorite pen is an Emperor in very dark Bog Oak, with deep grain fissures. I like to leave the grain showing, I think it adds to the mystique of the wood, BUT I must say the pieces I just got from Keith, are beautiful, a couple are very black, and of good density, a couple are showing some color in the black, but they are all very nice blanks.
I also have some Danish Bog Oak that I got from our favorite Jarhead "wolftat" it's a bit softer but has a nice color, My favorite finish for Bog Oak is either BLO baked then sprayed with Lacquer or just several coats of 100% Tongue Oil, of course the first coat has to be cut with Turps. but either will leave a beautiful grain textured finish.
I can't wait until I can stand up to turn the one piece I rounded out.