wood grading

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Texatdurango

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I've been working with wood in one fasion or another for around 35 years now but in all this time I must have missed reading the book on grading wood because I'm in the dark when I read some posts on here.

I see terms such as "museum grade", "collector grade", "instrument grade", "superior grade" and so on when folks are describing their wood, which is usually for sale but lately some members are included these terms when describing their pens.

So, I'm curious, what is the difference between museum and instrument grade and is collector grade better (more expensive) than museum grade but not as nice as instrument grade?

I'm confused, can anyone shed some light on the terms used and how we can tell them apart or provide a source where once can learn the differences?
 
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One of the parameters of instrument grade when I was making instruments is that it is quarter sawn, meaning all pieces are cut radially and go through the center of the log. Not sure what tonal properties this brings, but its supposed to help with warpage. Its particularly important for stringed instrument tops.

For tops, you do not want figured wood; for backs, depending in the species, figure is desired but only for aesthetics. 90% of the sound is from the top.

Museum quality is marketing.
 
I forgot to mention "Rare"! It seems like half the wood for sale these days is RARE as well as a high dollar grade.

I guess now that I'm in Arizona I need to lace up my hiking boots, I'm in search of the RARE, collector grade cholla cactus skeleton.
 
There are a few grades that are real, such as instrument grade. This only means something to someone who is going to make an instrument out of it. An "instrument grade pen blank" is nothing more than a way to make the blank seem more valuable. Instrument grade will mostly be quarter sawn and often very curly, such as quilted maple. I believe that the grading some people apply to their blanks refer to the amount of curl, or "eyes," or maybe the degree of wildness to the grain, particularly in burls. None of it is a real grade as far as I am aware. If I saw someone selling "museum grade" blanks, I would assume that the seller wanted to imply that the blanks were unusually cool.
 
The Rarest of the Instrument grade, Museum quality, Collector's edition pen blanks are on sale now for just 3 easy payments of $19.99 .... :biggrin:

Ok, that I can almost understand but will someone explain "Imitation Margarine" :eek: :confused:
 
I often see the word "rare" attached to wood here and on other forums. It puzzles me that wood called rare or even extremely rare has never been difficult for me to find. Ebony comes to mind and I have a drawer full of ebony blanks. I got asked to make a couple of pens using a customers wood and he called it one of the rarest woods available. I didn't have the heart to tell him I had 15 pen blanks of the same wood and that pens are routinely posted here using that wood...(not ebony).

Instrument grade, as mentioned, is quarter sawn. Sawing a log this way yields the least amount of lumber and the most waste and adds to its price.

Each adjective used adds to the value:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:.

Anyone want any spalted tawny curly swirly bird's eye hard rock quarter sawn maple burl?:wink:

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Lenny said:
The Rarest of the Instrument grade, Museum quality, Collector's edition pen blanks are on sale now for just 3 easy payments of $19.99 .... :biggrin:
Click to expand...


But if you buy today I'll throw in 3 extra blanks at no charge. Forget 3 easy payments, TODAY ONLY, we're offering this deal for a one time charge of $14.99. I must be insane to sell at this low cost.:hypnotized:
 
Lenny said:
The Rarest of the Instrument grade, Museum quality, Collector's edition pen blanks are on sale now for just 3 easy payments of $19.99 .... :biggrin:

Ok, that I can almost understand but will someone explain "Imitation Margarine" :eek: :confused:
Click to expand...

Imitation margarine- where the flavor, calories, oils, and fats are replaced by secret, heart healthy ingredients that make the (imitation) margarine tasteless, and impossible to spread. Also, won't melt into your warm bread/toast/muffin, just holds it form in skimmed layer on top. Yum.
 
In luthier work, instrument grade means all quarter sawn panels. Superior grade means qs panels, all book matched and no exterior flaws. Collector grade is the same as superior except no interior or exterior flaws visible at 17x magnification.

I don't know what the heck it means in pen making. Especially since the nastiest, knottiest, most nearly rotten burls generally makes better looking pens:)
 
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Which is the best grade for pens.

A. Grade wood

Or

F grade wood


I know that a grade of "C". Is just average -- I have many blanks that are "C"
:rotfl:
 
Good morning George,

You have allowed the group to run wild with the grading system. And that's a good thing to do. I did learn some new things!

About rare wood.

I have some wood from the Matson line; US Mariposa. Since the ship is no longer in service the wood I consider is rare.

I consider any Teak wood from a WWII battleship rare. Am trying to get more teak decking from the ships so I can have a collection . Its hard to find. I consider this type of wood rare.

Available Historic wood from Famous/historical past century people's properties as being rare. Such as Thomas Jefferson, Washington, etc.
Common sense will dictate what is and what is not rare. Yet, now days common sense itself is rare indeed ! :wink:


 
Ok, I feel better knowing that I didn't miss reading a special edition "Wood grading manual". :biggrin:

Since we are pen turners and not luthiers, it appears that the general consensus is that most of what we see is just hype to sell blanks for a few more bucks. I think the next time I see something along the lines of "Rare, exotic, Museum grade.......", I'll just ask the poster, perhaps they have some insight that we don't and we will all learn something!:smile:
 
George,
I been there asked that off forum, and neither who typically use the term exhibition could give me an answer.

Instrument grade and better also have another common item to them. They MUST posses tonal qualities of a certain nature in order to be graded as well.

Quartersawn hickory will not have an instrument grading or better, because it has very poor tonal qualities.
 
As wood or pen, turners should not care about grading system for domestic hardwood or softwood. Most venders catering to the wood turning community use salesman terms to describe wood they sell. If you go to a store or saw mill can see the quality you are buying. If you harvest your own wood can use parts of the tree commercial lumber industry does not use. Exceptions to that would be veneer and bow makers.

Whether talking about domestic or exotic woods we buy. Should know that wood not used by musical instrument, high-end furniture, veneer, or flooring industries is what we are buying. Generally vendors buy cut offs by the pound regardless of species to sell to us. Yes, there are exceptions to that too. Small operations do cater to the turning community.
 
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