Olive Wood Blank

[fishman]

One more question that came up in regard to a Wild Olive Wood blank I got from a local store.

I was told two different things, and hope I can get it cleared up.

Is it true that Olive Wood is super oily and a CA finish won't stick to it? Looking to make a gift out of it and I want to make sure it's going to last and come out good.

Thank you!

 

[magpens]

CA will indeed stick to Olive wood. . Olive wood is a little more oily than most other woods but CA does work on it.
In fact, some people recommend mixing a little oil (usually boiled linseed oil) with the CA and applying that as your finish.
I have tried that and, surprisingly, it does work. . So if you hear of using a BLO-CA mix, that's what they are talking about.
However, I do my CA finishes on all wood blanks without adding any oil.

Olive wood is a lovely wood to work with. . It cuts very nicely with lathe tools and it finishes up beautifully. . It also has a nice smell and feel.

 

[leehljp]

No, Olive wood is not super oily - which is a relative term. I have used considerable ebony blanks that make olive moisture seem like water. I have made dozens and dozens of olive wood and I have never had a problem with CA sticking to it. IF the wood is green - cut in the last 6 months and (not kiln or air dried in a attic) you might have a bit of trouble due more to inexperience in techniques. Use some acetone to wipe it off if it is wet and finish it.

I have a brother in law in CA (Calif.) that used to have olive trees on his farm, and he cut some branches for me to make pens for his family. So I received olive wood that was "green" so to speak. I would put them in the microwave and turn it on for 10 - 12 seconds and wait 10 to 15 minutes for them to cool, and do it again. Over a couple of hours it was dry enough to make pens with it and I used CA as the finish. That was 10 or 11 years ago. They still have and use the pens and the CA finish is still on them.

 

[1080Wayne]

An alternative is zero finish if you want to retain the natural look . Just use a few drops of olive oil on a soft cloth to clean it as necessary .

 

[fishman]

Thanks all, this makes me feel better. My whole plan was to use the Olive Wood blank as it was the perfect look, so I was troubled when I was told this (which is the first I heard it). Good to know it won't be a problem, and that even 10 years later it's holding up!

Without a moisture meter, is there anyway for me to know if it's dry enough? I bought it as a pen blank from a local store, and they said it's ready to turn, especially if I've going to coat it with a CA finish. It was also one of the few blanks that's coated in wax though, so now I'm not sure. I would think the precut pen blanks would be ready, but what do you think? I don't want it to crack or have any issues after I give it as a gift.

 

[mmayo]

Turn it as is. The stuff will smell great, turn easily and accept CA as well as any other w

 

[keithbyrd]

Thanks all, this makes me feel better. My whole plan was to use the Olive Wood blank as it was the perfect look, so I was troubled when I was told this (which is the first I heard it). Good to know it won't be a problem, and that even 10 years later it's holding up!

Without a moisture meter, is there anyway for me to know!if it's dry enough? I bought it as a pen blank from a local store, and they said it's ready to turn, especially if I've going to coat it with a CA finish. It was also one of the few blanks that's coated in wax though, so now I'm not sure. I would think the precut pen blanks would be ready, but what do you think? I don't want it to crack or have any issues after I give it as a gift.

By the time you finish turning the wood will be so thin I doubt if it could actually hold moisture! I turned a box elder pen within hours of cutting the tree down 11 years ago - still working greatI

 

[Woodchipper]

Just finished a Slimline pen & pencil set in BOW. Turned out great, if I do say so. Recipient loved it.

 

[penicillin]

If you bought it from a local store, wax coated, then it is almost certainly ready to turn. A CA finish will work well on it.

I have turned quite a few olive wood pens. Olive wood pens are some of the prettiest, nicest pens I have made. The rich color of the wood and unpredictable grain make it a delightful wood for pens. Olive wood has a pleasant fragrance when you turn it, like fresh olive oil. I always wear a dust mask, but it is still noticeable.

 

[pewitmer]

I turn olive wood regularly and use CA finishes all the time and never have run into a problem.

 

[bertha]

An alternative is zero finish if you want to retain the natural look . Just use a few drops of olive oil on a soft cloth to clean it as necessary .

Agree