What kind of figure is this?

[BigRob777]

My most recent purchase is this bubinga board, which was said to be pomelle. I've never bought, or seen (other than in doctored pictures) pomelle. I dampened a small part of the board, to show the figure. It has already started to dry, as you can see from the horizontal line in the middle.

My wife thinks it's birdseye and I'm wondering if she's right. It's awesome to me that she's picked up that term from me, especially since I don't normally carry birdseye.

It may just be that my photography was bad. I know that it's Bubinga. What type of figure do you think it is?

Here's a pic of the end grain. It is completely oposite of curly, which doesn't show anything in end grain. These ripples go up the tree, instead of accross, like curly. Also, birdseye wouldn't show like this either. I'm tempted to try it cross-cut, so that these "waves" show in my pens (when I get a chance to turn again).

BTW, I'm not selling it yet. I just want your opinion. I'm taking some time off from posting specials, so I can finish making Christmas presents. I'm still filling individual orders though.

 

[whatwoodido]

Bees Wing?

 

[JimGo]

I've seen boards like this referred to as pomelle or quilted, but it's not really what I think of when I think of pomelle. How about "highly figured"? []

 

[BigRob777]

WWID,
Good guess. I think that beeswing is basically loosely curled wood, with a twist in the middle, or something of that effect. I always see it at an angle too. This doesn't seem to have much of a pattern, except for the end grain. I was wondering if it's waterfall.

Here's what I think is beeswing, though it isn't a perfect example.

<br />
Rob

 

[chigdon]

I would say that is pretty close to pomele figure.

 

[BigRob777]

Thanks Chris, Jim and Whatwoodido. It seems like waterfall is more like quilted. At least the pics I've recently seen indicate that. I wish there was a pictorial standard to look at, for comparison. Hobbithouse is the closest I've seen to that, but there's still a wide variation there too. I'm thinking that this is a form of pomelle.

I just looked it up on hobbit's site and here's a link. The 2nd row from the bottom, on the right side shows a very similar shot of pomelle. I know that sapele seems to have a different look than others too.
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_pomelle.htm
Rob

 

[BigRob777]

I think that the amazing veining in this bubinga hides the pomelle figure somewhat also.
Rob

 

[airrat]

Hey Rob I have some bubinga similiar to that. I have one set up to turn. I will try to post a picture of it but as you all can tell I have not posted a picture of a pen in quite some time.

 

[whatwoodido]

This link is to an auction with the same type of wood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1003-INTENSELY-FIGURED-BUBINGA-BOWL-BLANK-KILN-DRIED_W0QQitemZ290056873325QQihZ019QQcategoryZ71235QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[alamocdc]

Rob, I don't care what you call it. When you do decide to sell it, let me know. I want a piece or two.[]

 

[BigRob777]

Thanks Guys,
Billy, no problem. I couldn't do shopwork today, as my power was out for over 3 hours. I'm going to go ahead and call this pomelle and let the pictures do the talking, when I'm done my Christmas trays. Thank all of you for your opinions and for the peek at the bowl on ebay. I think this stuff will be better for pens. That bowl was a bit busy, though beautiful. I hope nobody here turned it. I don't want to step on any toes.
Rob

 

[mrcook4570]

It looks like all of the pommelle that I have bought. It is very chatoyant, especially noticeable once it is turned.

 

[BigRob777]

Excellent. I can't wait to cut into it.
Rob

 

[JimGo]

Rob,
I'll be driving past your house on the 27th...if you have some cut, I can stop and pick it up on my way home! []

 

[BigRob777]

Jim,
Sounds like a plan. It'll be cut by then and I'll have a price for you.
Rob