salamon-rs Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Hi guys, I've been around for a while looking and reading, basically gathering information's and experience from many of you. Finally I made a first cut and would like to share it with you. A few years ago I came across something interesting. My brother in law was working on some old river cargo ship and was appointed to observe reparation of the vessel. Interesting thing is that the ship was made before WWII and they were changing the wooden floor. Ok the wood wasn't from that time but it was over 50 years old! So I took three boards, which by the way were heavy as hell, black from the coal that was loaded on them for the last 50-60 years and I took them home. At first I couldn't figure out what kind of wood was it until a few days ago I took one board and chopped a piece to see is it worth it or should I make a bbq with it Finally here are photos of the piece with my poor attempt to make inlays with some shell. I still cant figure out what kind of wood is it but I can tell you that it is hard as a rock and slick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Wow, amazing! That looks like it was cut from some OLD trees judging by the straightness of the growth rings. "Rock hard and slick". I'm doubtful that it is Lignum Vitae, but I could easily be wrong. Does the wood feel like the world's hardest candle? Lignum Vitae is massively difficult to glue up, but it makes wonderful wooden plane soles, bearings, etc. It was used as the watertight rudder bearing seals on old ships, since it expands in saltwater and is self-lubricating. Legendary old trade wood! I might be interested in buying a little off you, if you have a good amount. Mystery woods are always amusing. Certainly don't use it for barbecue fuel! Here you go: same information as what I knew...http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/lignum%20vitae.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 I am no good at identifying wood except for the obvious ones, but could this be teak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Good call. Teak is oily like hell and as rot resistant as they come too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 2 hours ago, Prostheta said: Wow, amazing! That looks like it was cut from some OLD trees judging by the straightness of the growth rings. "Rock hard and slick". I'm doubtful that it is Lignum Vitae, but I could easily be wrong. Does the wood feel like the world's hardest candle? Lignum Vitae is massively difficult to glue up, but it makes wonderful wooden plane soles, bearings, etc. It was used as the watertight rudder bearing seals on old ships, since it expands in saltwater and is self-lubricating. Legendary old trade wood! I might be interested in buying a little off you, if you have a good amount. Mystery woods are always amusing. Certainly don't use it for barbecue fuel! Here you go: same information as what I knew...http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/lignum%20vitae.htm My friend thank you for the interest, honestly I have no idea how to send it to you, also I don't have much of it two or three boards. I will gladly pack it and send it by post or some delivery service but I'm not sure how it works with the customs (Serbia is not in the EU) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 I took these photos with my phone, will do it again with camera it should look much better, also I will post some more photos ow "raw" board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Very true. Everybody is still really divided on that point aren't they? I mean, I guess that the crisis with the Euro thanks to crazy bailouts all over the place and banks generally get a free ride of it has made it less popular of late.... I think you should hang onto the wood. You likely won't see stuff of that age save for maybe, once every few years. Old growth wood is nothing like modern stuff. Unless you're swimming in the stuff....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Or could it be Bubinga ? Although that would be an unusual timber for a boats floor! I have an offcut I'll post tomorrow. It looks very similar, is very heavy and hard as hell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 I was thinking that too. Maybe I just can't get my head around the woods people used to use for such menial purposes. Whenever the British Navy decommission or refit an old ship, there's usually craploads of good wood that gets ripped out. Plenty of stories abound of people who scored great guitar woods from those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Bubinga crossed my mind as well. Often the choices made for raw materials are based on what's on hand at the time and place of construction. Many of the old barns still standing where I grew up are entirely constructed of rough sawn black walnut, because that was what the native forests were full of. On the other hand it's hard to picture a Serbian river boat being built in the African bush. there may be a fascinating story behind it all. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 22 hours ago, ScottR said: Bubinga crossed my mind as well. Often the choices made for raw materials are based on what's on hand at the time and place of construction. Many of the old barns still standing where I grew up are entirely constructed of rough sawn black walnut, because that was what the native forests were full of. On the other hand it's hard to picture a Serbian river boat being built in the African bush. there may be a fascinating story behind it all. SR ScottR that would indeed be a great story The ship was built in Germany mid thirties last century and was "upgraded" since then. As far as I know these boards - planks have been on board at least 40-50 years. I seriously doubt it is Bubinga. I plan to send it to a friend of mine, a good luthier, perhaps he can identify it for me. Never the less, my original plan was to use this wood for the body or some laminated neck but now I'm having second thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Before I pass this to someone who knows a thing or two about the wood I took an other look to find out that the wood just cracked! The side that was not cleaned just cracked...damn...this is not a good behavior. I have to clean a new piece and let it sit for a few days to see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neven Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I'd say this could be Padouk... "dirty" side oxidized to brown, freshly sanded sides turned orange red again. This wood is available to get in these parts of the world, and it wouldn't be strange that it was even more available in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Good rationale. I bet a wipe with acetone would reveal a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 I'm leaning in the padauk direction as well. The grain and pattern of the pores is extremely similar to the padauk in one of my current builds. The color isn't, but I'm sure that's down to age and exposure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 On 11/27/2015, 11:05:29, Prostheta said: Good rationale. I bet a wipe with acetone would reveal a lot. This sounds interesting, I have to try it in next few days. Will come back with some photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 On 11/27/2015, 10:38:38, Neven said: I'd say this could be Padouk... "dirty" side oxidized to brown, freshly sanded sides turned orange red again. This wood is available to get in these parts of the world, and it wouldn't be strange that it was even more available in the past. Good notice Neven, when I take a look at some padouk fingerboards it does look the same. Hey do you wanna piece of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neven Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 On 12/3/2015, 11:28:16, salamon-rs said: Good notice Neven, when I take a look at some padouk fingerboards it does look the same. Hey do you wanna piece of it? No need for it, but still thanks It's available over here, and I'm considering buying a whole board these days. My guess is it wouldn't be much more expensive than to send a piece large enough from Serbia to Croatia. Anyway, really, thanks for your offer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salamon-rs Posted December 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 18 hours ago, Neven said: No need for it, but still thanks It's available over here, and I'm considering buying a whole board these days. My guess is it wouldn't be much more expensive than to send a piece large enough from Serbia to Croatia. Anyway, really, thanks for your offer! No problem my friend. I often have someone going to Croatia so I could send it to you free of charge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.