Looking for suggestions

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penmanship

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
383
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Does anyone know of any type of wood that is
  1. Solid Black
  2. Not Ebony
  3. Is not prone to cracking
Although, I have nothing against an Ebony pen the one's I have made in the past have cracked. Any suggestions would be great ~ or if you can suggest how to prevent cracking.........

Any assistance is appreciated,
Merry Christmas,
Tim
 
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wood-of-1kind

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Jul 10, 2005
Messages
4,114
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Hi Tim,

have you considered using dye(black) on say maple to get the effect that you are seeking? I have also used bannia (Guyana) and it is almost, a solid, dark wood, that in my opinion turns and looks as good as ebony.
 

leehljp

Member Liaison
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
9,314
Location
Tunica, Mississippi,
Peter's idea is something that several people have done. It used to be more popular subject two or three years ago.

Another similar idea is this link for ebonizing wood.
http://content.penturners.org/articles/2009/Ebonizing.pdf

Neither of these soak in much more than just below the surface but they do make beautiful pens (and bowls).

Works great on closed grained wood like maple and cherry.
 

rjwolfe3

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Joined
Feb 12, 2008
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8,352
Location
Mansfield, Ohio, USA.
I was going to suggest African Blackwood but I am not sure if it is solid black. I had heard a rumor that it has a tendency to crack like ebony but haven't turned mine yet so don't know.
 
Joined
Sep 24, 2006
Messages
8,206
Location
Tellico Plains, Tennessee, USA.
I was going to suggest African Blackwood but I am not sure if it is solid black. I had heard a rumor that it has a tendency to crack like ebony but haven't turned mine yet so don't know.

I've had no problems with AF Blackwood cracking, but it sometimes does have streaks of brown through the wood... makes some really nice pens in the larger styles...
 

fernhills

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Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Messages
2,142
Location
Hellertown, PA, USA.
Ebony wood cracks. I have had good luck with Aniline dye on cherry,plain maple, popular woods. They really look good. You can also use ebonite. Carl
 

John Eberly

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
84
Location
Grand Haven MI
African Blackwood

I made a dozen blackwood "Navigators" last year. No problems with cracking, but the CA tends to peel at the ends due to oil in the wood. Make sure you wipe with DNA and be careful how you remove the blank from the bushings.
 

dalemcginnis

Local Chapter Leader
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
1,027
Location
Daphne, Al. USA
I've used African Blackwood with no problems and the ones I made where such a deep black I had a hard time telling them apart from the black acrylic ones.
 
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