Christmas present projects
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Tagged: cane scoop yew pine
- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by George Bridgeman.
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29 December 2014 at 5:09 pm #122775
I made a few gifts for family this year.
A yew walking cane for my father-in-law. This was the first time I’ve worked with yew and absolutely loved it. It’s so easy to work and planes, chops and shapes really nicely. The wedges are walnut. My FIL was very pleased with it! I’m going to fit it to him the next time he’s over here, and put a foot on it as well. Despite recently turning 80, he’s not quite at the stage of needing it yet, but is glad he’s got a nice one ready for when he does.
Two scoops for my mother-in-law from pine and yew. This was going to be a set of three but I didn’t have time to make the third. The yew for the scoop was given to me by the guy I bought the yew for the cane from. It was a small piece with cracks throughout and plenty of ‘character’. He was going to burn it but threw it in my car and told me to use or burn it myself. The pine was from a scrap piece of 2×6.
George.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.30 December 2014 at 2:33 am #122808Say bud,, that’s looking good but you always do nice work. But more important is seeing you back in the shop. TG
Best wishes always
Frankj30 December 2014 at 8:13 pm #122832I really like the look of that yew. I’m not sure I’ve even seen anything in yew before, let alone used it. Beautiful colour. How have you finished the cane?
Nice work all round.
Matt
31 December 2014 at 10:49 am #122853Thanks, guys. It’s great to be slowly getting back into the shop!
@chemical_cake The finish is a regular, matt/satin finish outdoor varnish. I put on two coats and rubbed it out with 0000 steel wool.Yew is a really great wood to work but I’m still a bit concerned about the toxicity. There are more stories about people not having any problem with it than there are about having issues, so is likely fine. I washed my hands after working it, and wore a dust mask when cutting it on the bandsaw and sanding. The tannins in it stain my hands like oak does but nowhere near as much.
It has a long history in bow-making. The sapwood and heartwood have different properties in terms of elasticity and strength. Bows were made from a piece from the sap/heartwood border, with the sapwood at the front and the heartwood at the back (if I remember correctly), giving great strength when drawing, with a lively return.
I still have a lot of it left but I’m not sure what else to use it for yet. It’s almost too rich and red to use for a larger project but may look great as contrasting, small drawer fronts. Unless I get asked for more canes!
George.
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