Market for bog oak?

[miles_hot]

A farming friend of ours is always digging bog oak up - he gave me a piece which had dried out and it was rather cracked and so I guess not worth anything however he digs the stuff up every year when working the land.

He wanted to know if there is any market for bog oak and if so should he store it under water / in a pit to prevent it drying till it's worked?

Many thanks

Miles

 

[dannykaye]

pen blanks in bog oak are common on ebay for example

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IRISH-BOG-OAK...UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH?hash=item439d3aad5c

often with carbon dating "proving" that they date to the time of St Patrick

 

[Henning]

Also used for knifehandles and such, and if i remember correctly, there is a way one can actually dry them out which makes them into usable pieces.

 

[wizer]

A farming friend of ours is always digging bog oak up - he gave me a piece which had dried out and it was rather cracked and so I guess not worth anything however he digs the stuff up every year when working the land.

He wanted to know if there is any market for bog oak and if so should he store it under water / in a pit to prevent it drying till it's worked?

Depends on the size of the bits? I should think turners (like yourself) would consider it gold dust. I'd certainly take some!

 

[squib]

I used bog oak plugs in the boats i used to build as a kind of secret signature,I still have a little left which is split and twisted.I always imagined it is normal like this so i cant help with seasoning but would always be happy to buy some more. :wink:

 

[ondablade]

This course is way out of date, but there's some contact information in section of a website here that might be useful:

Gortlomain I.C.A. is organising a three day course on Bog Oak Carving and its treatment by Derry Houlihan of Foxford, Co. Mayo. This course will take place at the ICA Cottage, Barefield on August 25th, 26th and 27th. Up to ten participants, open to new members, male and female, will be able to take part.

The cost of the course is £140. Bog Oak will be available if required from the tutor at a cost of £25 per piece. You are advised to wear old clothing and rubber or gardening gloves. Tea and coffee making facilities will be available. Bring a packed
lunch if you wish.

For further details or a booking form contact Frances O'Halloran, 30 Shannon Park, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065 6822010 or 065 6828701 or 087 2799260.

ian

 

[jimi43]

Is "bog oak" the same as "swamp ash" in the USA (obviously not the same wood but the same principle?

I used swamp ash in guitar bodies...lovely wood...anyone got any pictures of "bog oak"?

Jim

 

[miles_hot]

Also used for knifehandles and such, and if i remember correctly, there is a way one can actually dry them out which makes them into usable pieces.

Any clues? The bit I took away was dried in air and on the far looked a bit cracked but some time in an air conditioned car and then centrally heated house rendered it fairly useless. Hard as heck though and just cutting it on the farm gave a fair shine.

Miles

 

[Mikey R]

Is "bog oak" the same as "swamp ash" in the USA (obviously not the same wood but the same principle?

Hi Jim, where are you getting your swamp ash? The luthiers merchants that I know of over here charge a premium for what is a fairly common wood in the US.

EDIT: JBT is Buroughbridge apparantly have it in, though Ive never seen it in the shop. Maybe I should venture out into the yard at some point.

 

[Jake]

Also used for knifehandles and such, and if i remember correctly, there is a way one can actually dry them out which makes them into usable pieces.

Any clues?

PET impregnation, or whatever its called (as used in the preservation of the Mary Rose) perhaps?

 

[jimi43]

Is "bog oak" the same as "swamp ash" in the USA (obviously not the same wood but the same principle?

Hi Jim, where are you getting your swamp ash? The luthiers merchants that I know of over here charge a premium for what is a fairly common wood in the US.

EDIT: JBT is Buroughbridge apparantly have it in, though Ive never seen it in the shop. Maybe I should venture out into the yard at some point.

AH! Mikey....I picked some up from a friend of mine when I visited the Pacific NW back in 2008....that is why I was asking about "bog oak"....I wondered if there was the equivalent to swamp ash here....let me know if you find any at JBT....I might be interested although I am presently on a long acoustic project (for me this time!)

Some of the woods over in the States are astounding...the tiger and cushion maple especially....

Jim

 

[keithkarl2007]

I think boiling oversized pieces and then drying it in a paper bag with newspaper works pretty well. I have quite a few pen blanks and have recently come across bog yew which doesn't degrade as quickly as bog oak

 

[miles_hot]

I think boiling oversized pieces and then drying it in a paper bag with newspaper works pretty well. I have quite a few pen blanks and have recently come across bog yew which doesn't degrade as quickly as bog oak

Thanks for that - would seem to be a possibility, just need to find the boiling vessel for bowls etc.

Miles

 

[Mr T]

Hi

Adams and Lowe at http://www.adamsonandlow.com/bog_oak use and sell bog oak, it may be worth contacting them to see if they are interested.

Chris

 

[thomvic]

Take care gentlemen.

Bog Oak is becoming a generic term for what should, more correctly, be termed bog wood.

Peat bogs can hide many species of wood - some suitable for turning and carving and some that are absolutely useless. For example, genuine Bog Oak is excellent, as is bog ash but bog birch (very common) and bog willow seem to disintegrate very easily.

Don't buy before you see and feel.

Richard

 

[miles_hot]

Take care gentlemen.

Bog Oak is becoming a generic term for what should, more correctly, be termed bog wood.

Peat bogs can hide many species of wood - some suitable for turning and carving and some that are absolutely useless. For example, genuine Bog Oak is excellent, as is bog ash but bog birch (very common) and bog willow seem to disintegrate very easily.

Don't buy before you see and feel.

Richard

How does one tell the difference>?

Many thanks

Miles

 

[big soft moose]

Also used for knifehandles and such, and if i remember correctly, there is a way one can actually dry them out which makes them into usable pieces.

Any clues?

PET impregnation, or whatever its called (as used in the preservation of the Mary Rose) perhaps?

PEG I think - Polyethelyne glycol - the idea being that it soaks in and pushes the water out thus removing the shrinking when drying problem - I have had some success using a 70/30 mixture of comfort liquid (which contains PEG) and alcohol

for turners this also has the advantage that the soapy element lubicrates the cut and reduces dust

 

[big soft moose]

Take care gentlemen.

Bog Oak is becoming a generic term for what should, more correctly, be termed bog wood.

Peat bogs can hide many species of wood - some suitable for turning and carving and some that are absolutely useless. For example, genuine Bog Oak is excellent, as is bog ash but bog birch (very common) and bog willow seem to disintegrate very easily.

Don't buy before you see and feel.

Richard

How does one tell the difference>?

Many thanks

Miles

if you got it free you try and use it if its crap then its probably not bog oak.

 

[thomvic]

if you got it free you try and use it if its crap then its probably not bog oak.

I can't fault that for a method! Seriously though, see it and feel it is the way. If its soft and or light then don't use it. If its solid and heavy then give it a go.

Those who are good at timber recognition (definitely not me!) can usually recognise the species by the structure even if it is 3000+ years old!

Richard