When it rains it pours, no not the Seattle weather, pear wood is pouring into my workshop. Today I went to my local supplier of tools and wood and there in the back was something I have never seen in the store before, Swiss Pear. Not just one board but a whole big tree worth of slabs. I wish I had the funds to buy all of it for future use but at $13.00 a board foot that is not possible. You can see by the photo with the ruler just how fine the grain is and how suitable for miniature furniture it will be.
This lumber is somewhat pink toned in color. That coloration develops as a result of the kiln drying process. Some wood suppliers also call it steamed pear. It is not from steam they inject into the kiln, it is steam created by moisture coming out of the wood as it is drying. From time to time they vent the kiln to let that moisture escape.
Now I don't have to wait 6 months for my firewood pear to dry, I can get started on miniature furniture projects. But first I will make myself a little valentines day gift, a new necklace carved from pear wood. I will take it from the end of the plank where the grain is on the wild side and not so suitable for making miniature furniture. That will be a good test piece to see if it really is easy to carve in any direction of the grain.
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12 comments:
very cool, cant wait to see what you come up with!
Yay - love to see someone really loving the materials!
Gorgeous!!! What a find---
Oh, how exciting, glad you don't have to wait six months to try it!!!! Looking forward to hear how carving the pear went.
Beautiful! That will keep you going for a while!
Last year I had the opportunity to carve in steamed pear, it was wonderful to work with, even across the grain.
Lucky you! :-) Looking forward to seeing the necklace.
You lucky duck. I have been on the look-out for steamed pear since I used it at a wood carving workshop last year. I can't find it locally (neither nationally) so I am afraid I will have to go overseas for some. Congrats on your find and I am looking forward to seeing your creations.
Thats delicious wood. I've bought a thick foot of steamed pear last year and it's that same luscious color as your plank has. As we speak i'm carving bedposts from it, and it's just fantastic to carve. Hard on the tools but it leaves a sharp & crisp, yet at the same time smooth surface. I don't feel the grain is directing the tools. Good luck on your project. What will it be? A Valentines day gift? Love spoon perhaps?
It looks beautiful -- can't wait to see all the things you make from this!
What are you going to make?!?
This is beautiful wood! Does it smell like pears?
I can't wait to see what you do with it. I would LOVE a pear countertop in my little kitchen! :D
I have not seen Swiss pear before. The grain is some of the tightest I have seen! Perfect for you. Start working on that necklace so we can see the results!
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