If I advertise an old Camaro as an authentic SS and you feel the need to ask me if I put the SS badging on to make a non-SS appear to be an SS, then you are calling me a liar. I am simply unwilling to call my supplier a liar without you first providing proof that such lying actually exists. Given that you have repeatedly stated that you have that very proof, let's see it. If your proof convinces us that this type of fraud is rampant among BOW suppliers, I will consider asking my guy more questions as I am sure others will do also.
You are not the first one to come up this "personal assumption/line of though" that DOES NOT reflect what I've been saying and will continue to do. I have never asked anyone to start to call "liars" to anyone including their suppliers only because I'm (and have been for a quite a while) making known publicly what I know and from what I have/was given (probably by mistake/not intend to be used as evidence as such) to support my believe and suspicions that Olive wood from Italy (and probably other European countries rich in Olive trees has been exported in 22' containers to Israel to be sold as BOW from Israel to the world...!
Now, what part of my claim, do you have problems with understanding...???
I have been, am and I will soon provide some more information that supports my believes and, as I'm aware the believes of many others here and everywhere that, not all the BOW on sale is authentic nor it could be...!
I have also repeatedly said/advised strongly that those that buy BOW or want to buy it because of what it represents (what makes it authentic) to be aware that is a good possibility that what they have been/are/will be buying "could be" some of the false BOW (imported Olive wood) circulating everywhere. I have also suggested that you make your suppliers aware that this is/could be a worry/concern to you and many others, to ask questions and make sure they check also their sources in a way that could dismiss clearly, the possibility that they are involved directly or indirectly with the scam. (I would use other word if I could find one other, that could describe/signify the same meaning...!).
Now, where did I ever suggested/asked you or anyone to start to call a "liar" to anyone...??? Putting words in my mouth doesn't work, even tough I understand and totally disagree why people has the necessity to do it to take things to the level they want and not to what was said/intended by me. What part of this do you have problems in understanding...?
I have also suggested (and I was hoping that others could come up with other possibilities) a simple and efficient way to get some "real" answers and maybe allow all of us to find out who is right or not and who's "BOW" blanks should be voided at all costs, if not totally refused, regardless of price offered. This suggestion refers to the lab test that I have been repeatedly mentioning, and this test is not as difficult to obtain in any major centres of any country, as you may think. When it comes to the test cost, sure will not be free but, how much does "ones" reputation and name worth...???
Has become obvious that, a sticker or a small piece of badly printed paper as a certificate of authenticity, is not good enough, has also become obvious that having the blanks received from Israel (money sent to a Israeli bank account, etc.,) doesn't dismiss the possibility that I could be right, doesn't it...???
We have had a few members here, and I know that the same would apply all over the world, that clearly indicated that this BOW issue doesn't mean much if anything at all to them, in fact some have also indicated that, they disregard/discard the pieces of paper (certificates and stickers) that come with the blanks and sell their pens (and other) as Olive wood, Holy wood (all Olive wood is Holly, regardless of its origin...), made from the "Tree of Peace wood", etc. One of the things that really puzzle me is, why would anyone want to buy and pay a premium price product (Olive wood with a BOW tag) when, they can get equal and in most cases superior quality (figure) Olive wood from either local sources or from other locations at their disposal, for half or less of the price...???
And this brings me to that question that has been asked a few times before, does everyone know/are aware that BOW and Olive wood are the same thing...??? that good quality Olive wood can be sourced from so many other places, apart from Israel...??? are new people coming to the world of pen making/turning, being brain washed about this BOW issue, making them believe that if isn't BOW is not good enough...???
This BOW issue is a lot more "cloudy" for pen turners than to any other type of wood turning, particularly those that perform medium to large scale turned items. They know that if they want Olive wood for their turnings that, the last place they would consider would be Olive wood from Israel, they are smart enough to know that, BOW is not an option for all possible obvious reasons.:wink:
It saddens me to see young generations and people of all ages starting this great art of wood turning, getting the wrong information for profitability and unscrupulous reasons, instead of providing the simple and real facts such as, Olive trees from all over the world are special, Olive wood provided by your local suppliers as local, deserves some respect and consideration also, in fact, that same local Olive wood will allow you to experience size creations items (pic attached) never possible with BOW/JOW or any other Olive wood from Israel...!
I have a great respect for the Olive trees is Israel, particularly the few left ancient ones which have survived a great deal of tribulations for centuries. I have exactly the same respect and admiration for ancient Olive trees still in existence all over the world, younger trees have my most respect also, but they have a long way to go before they reach maturity and give me something to work with, very much as the old times where a aged person was fully respected by any younger person, age/maturity did mean something, then...!:frown: Those times are long gone, huh...???
I have been accused here, a few times of sounding like a "broken record", if this is the case and I admit it is, there are a few others that would certainly belong to the same "category", while I get asked the "same" questions I will continue to give the "same" answers...!:wink::biggrin:
PS: As many would agree, one of the bigger mistakes we all do is to "react" in the spur of the moment (I'm as guilty as most of you...!). Things are said that shouldn't be, things are said that can not be taken back, things are said without proper evaluation and things are said for a reason, in the middle of all this, consider the things that you could have said if you either, have gave if a bit of a though or taken the time the digest/dissect the information. I'm deliberately taken my time, for a reason...!
Try to apply those principals here, we all will a lot better served in the end...!:wink:
Cheers
George