A lost method of finishing

[binarywhisper]

my father had a method of finishing wood, birdseye in particular, that I plan on trying to adapt to a veneer.

He would bring linseed oil to just shy of a boil and then brush on dozens of coats, allowing 1 day between coats over a period of 2 weeks. After 14 coats the birdeye maple would take on a translucent appearance that would be about 1/8 inch deep. Then he would take a small tiger touch and allow the flames to brush across the surface and the most amazing transformation would take place.

Here is a gun stock that he carved and soaked the entire peice in a pot of steaming linseed oil for a week and then flame washed it. This stock is quite beat up as it was on the family deer rifle for many many years. It's to bad that photo's can't really show this type of thing.

[binarywhisper]

another

[binarywhisper]

3rd

I hope some of you find this interesting and I apologize to those that don't.

[binarywhisper]

final pic

[pinkmouse]

Wow. That looks really nice. Keep us updated with your progress.

[Samuel Jayaraj]

Could you kindly explain the "tiger touch" process that could help others replicate the process?

Thanks.

[SY]

Probably just a mistyping. I think this is what is needed:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/shopsour...igertorch.html


BTW, that is some seriously beautiful work.

[binarywhisper]

lol, "tiger touch"

Sounds like an ancient asian martial arts death blow.

Ya tiger torch although what he called a tiger torch is not quite the same as what it means today. It was a small brass kerosene torch that you pumped up like the old lanterns.

I think the modern version would work fine. It's what I will be using.

The important part is that its a non focused flame that you kind of wash over the wood. What happens is almost like an illusion when you see it. The grain just appears out of no where. It takes practice but it will send a thrill up your spine when you see it happen.

Thanks for the compliments. I wish I could show you the gun but thanks to the gun registery it is no more. It was polished to a chrome like finish with custom sights. He built it in our basement one winter. He scratch built a matching bowie and skinning knife to go with it the next winter. Winters are long in New Brunswick.

I don't know how well it will translate to veneer but I am looking forward to trying it this summer. If any of you try it please share with us.

[poobah]

Binary & Guys,

I with you on the Linseed oil... you can usually buy it boiled... akin to blowing off the "foreshots"... less fusel oils I would presume.

What about the torching though? Is that done to polyrmerize/harden the finish?

[Dryseals]

Beautiful finish, I'm woundering though about the depth of the veneer and whether or not it would do as well. I have some here at the house, I think I'll give it a try, just for fun.