Spalted Oak Bowl

Very nice and nice touch to darken the rim to match the large dark streaks.

That is simply beautiful!

-----odie-----

I agree re: the blackened rim. How did you keep it from bleeding over the edge either inside or outside?

Thanks for the kind words, folks.

Randall Hoch said:

I agree re: the blackened rim. How did you keep it from bleeding over the edge either inside or outside?

Click to expand...

The rim was ebonized using iron acetate (iron filings dissolved in white vinegar) alternating with tan bark powder solution (tan bark powder in water). I love it because it darkens but the grain still shows through, like a sublimated print. The tan bark powder is to provide tannins - even though it's oak, it's good to boost the reaction. The clean line was obtained by applying the ebonizing solutions, then final cutting the rim both inside and out. I learned the hard way that any color (my big fail was with milk paint) applied after cutting is likely to mess up a clean line that isn't masked, and cleanly masking the rim of a bowl is a fool's errand. There was a really good article a few years ago in, I believe, Wood magazine about how to use quebracho powder (tan bark, used for tanning leather) to provide tannins for the ebonizing response. It's super easy.

What a great bowl . . . ! I always love the look of simple bowls from a great piece of wood. You picked a great piece of wood and, with just a simple shape, turned it into a work of art! I love it!