[TheForge] I need a piece of tree...

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

Washington, Aubrey O. wrote:
> I have used Osage orange (or bois d'arc) for both handles and mallets.  Great, hard stuff.  When it is "green" it is actually a bright pukey yellow color, but it ages to a very nice mellow brown.  Work it green if you can because when it is seasoned it is very tough stuff.  I've never worked with mulberry, but I'd like to give it a try.
>
> Aubrey
> ________________________________________
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jonathan Barnhart [blakkpawss at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:56 AM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] I need a piece of tree...
>
> I've seen people use mulberry and osage orange to make handles.  In fact I wish a had a bunch of Osage orange to split into hammer handles.
>
>
>   
I have a turn of the century house that is sitting on bois d'arc 
stumps.   When I got it inspected the inspector spent a lot of time 
under the house.  He couldn't understand why termites hadn't eaten the 
place.   Turns out, termites have standards.  I have a special respect 
for some of God's less lovely creations like the bois d'arc, the 
mesquite and the hackberry.   For that matter the grackle as well.  Year 
after year they persevere unlovely and unloved -- their achievements 
unremarked in any positive way.  

Charles