No doubt, a stunning piece of wood. I would have loved to see that tree in its pristine/untouched state. Having only a piece is 2nd best, but it will be with us always. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I have a piece of Claro walnut (a bit over 2' by 11") that I sanded to 600 that I've had for more than 4 years because it's so beautiful I can't bring myself to cut it. So I'm totally with you on the idea of not leaving a beautiful piece rough sanded. (I immediately subscribed to your channel.) I know I'll enjoy your videos.
Good to see another man with top notch supplies and priceless materials for an amazing project that just lacks the courage to start. Even better to see one grow a pair and begin the damn thing.
I can look at a piece of wood like that for years, simply taking in its beauty. We're fortunate enough to have had a coffee table made for us, out of English walnut, as a wedding present, a generation ago. It has a natural owl shape in it, which we'll continue to treasure. Your 'tree' beats ours, hands down!. Thanks for sharing your appreciation with us, Blair. I'll wait patiently to see how it makes your chair. 🙂
I don't believe that I have ever heard you more excited than about this beautiful piece of walnut. Go for it Blair!! Just keep us posted from time to time.
Probably 10 years ago we had a black walnut tree about 3 feet across trunk in our yard, near the corner of the house. It would've had wood similar to that at its main crotch where it devided perfectly. The reason its trunk was milled into beautiful wood was because it had been struck by lightning, which split it in half. Trunk was not damaged, but the other half was over the house, badly weakened by loosing its other half. We still have a couple of them, one's just a little sapling that came up on it's own. The other is young, only 1 foot across trunk. But it's got a massive wide spread and it's very tall. Its never been pruned its whole life, except some low branches that made it impossible to manage the yard.
That tree was a once in a lifetime tree. Congratulations on starting it Blair. That is one incredible piece of walnut. Hell even to call it just walnut is underscoring the beauty in that one chunk.
Greg Dent it has had me nervous to start for 20 years. If I don’t start it now, it might not ever happen! Thankfully, I have a mentor to advise me and keep me on track.
A few years too late maybe, but a good way to deal with the uncertainty of risk would be to make one or two chairs with other lumber before using that precious piece of Claro. Hope it turned out well!
Wow...gorgeous wood.! It reminds me of the Tiger Eye gemstone that shimmers and seems to change shape as you hold it at different angles to the sunlight. This will truly be a 'labor of love' for you.
I so enjoy your videos. Your passion is infectious. I so appreciate your knowledge resultant from many years of experience. Thank you and God’s Rey best.
It’s normal to feel dread regarding great projects with extraordinary stock. I’ve got it. Everyone I know has it. I’m glad to see that you have chosen to assail your Everest.
Robert Edmondson welcome. I am mostly about trees and Tree care but about 10 percent of my uploads are woodworking. Let me find the playlist on those for you.
Thankyou Blair Glenn (or Glenn Blair?). I do have an interest in woodworking (I too have my stash of special boards and veneers waiting for the right project). I also enjoy the problem solving and rigging solutions you show and describe when confronted with difficult tree removals.
It’s hard not be believe in a greater power when you see the wonders of life on this planet. Interesting to see what other planets the new telescope finds.
Craig Mooring ya, I have defiantly been “off my rocker” for far too long. I have a close friend who has built one, accept my need for help. His shop will be featured.
Glenn, that is an incredible seat blank! Where are the chair videos??? :). I have a question. I have a walnut slab that I’m going to make a coffee table with. I just bought a couple of other Pieces of walnut online that I was planning to use for the legs. I notice that the density of the two “walnuts” are very different. One piece of wood is very dense and heavy while the other pieces feel much lighter (for the same size piece) and less dense. I’ve been looking online for information to try to identify which types of walnut I have. Who better to ask than an arborist? Thanks!
Blair that is a fabulous slab of walnut, I know what you are saying the depth when highly finished like that makes you feel like you could fall into it. Only happens on an exceptional slab but when you get it right there is nothing quite like it. Good luck with the rocker. Don't rush it, take your time.
John Bare Thanks John, to be honest, I’m a bit nervous about this. I have publicly announced my goal so I’m going to do it! It will take a long time I’m sure.
Great video. Like forged Damascus steel! A great skill to be able to appreciate this stuff. Thanks for the insight here. This is real wisdom that gives people more enjoyment in everyday life just by being perceptive of wood grain! Great work :)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... there are so many ways to describe beautiful, that I do not judge. I agree apparently well with your taste of beautiful 😜but lucky there are many whom do not (so there is more for us 😎). added after the video end,.. good luck, that’s a Hugh challenge!
As I listen to you speak about bringing the beauty in this piece of wood out, I realize Jesus did the same when He was here showing off the tree He created. What furniture that must have been!!! Perfect I'd bet
Blair, (I'm about 2 minutes in) I'd sand the top smooth, and finish to a quality surface, clean up the (hopefully raw) sides, and leave the bottom somewhat rough, so one can see the original wood. Sides, just knock the rough stuff, and sand off big lumps, but leave it natural as much as possible. steve
WELL worth the price of admission! Keep us posted. AWESOME looking slab. Just showed a friend the picture of the oiled seat blank. He said it reminded him of a topographic map. steve
In any case, I know what you mean as far as the difficulty of working with [all kinds of] Walnut, due to it's porousness. As much as I love it, I do tire of hearing everyone on TH-cam say how amazing it is, and that it's the "King of Hardwoods". It's neither very strong, nor very hard. It's beautiful, to be sure. But as you mentioned, it can't be burnished, like actually HARD hardwoods can be. Trust me, I LOVE Walnut, but it's not the highest quality wood out there, for a number of reasons... including the sapwood susceptibility which you mentioned...
I do believe it is illegal to have that much stunning beauty, plus you have tobe extremely cautious that could possibly take ones breath away, and mixing that with that amount of dumbfound causing gorgeousness could make ya forget to catch your breath and breath again.....
10* Next best option is to oil up and insanely buff essential oil into the wood to show the depth. Orange oil or an essential oil - not any petroleum or wood oils, shellacs, varnish ... the same for no linseed or tung oil ... no vegetable or food oils, no avocado (yellow-green tint), no olive oil (green tint). Maybe some of the original walnut seed oil or other nut oils (hazelnut/filbert, almond, ...). Safeway (or online) sells foreign nut oils for salads with these same products - or a health food store). Just buff the snot out of the wood with the essential oils penetrating deep into the wood, and these oils will go deep, stay deep, and further enforce the light, scattering, backlighting, enhancement of the wood (black is blacker, white is whiter, colors are more colored), grain, pores, deep sheen of the wood into its translucent and transparent properties (obsidian in thin slices can be seen through for its black and green-black colors, same for the rest of the crystallin oils allowing the wood to come alive) ... like any candy coat on a car. Much like petrified wood, cut into thin strips, can still be read by its pores and grains - identifying the original paleo era tree species.
This is not a very clear explanation, although I feel I agree with you, Lol. Don't be offended - I'm just saying that it wasn't clear. As an aside, I usually use Almond or Walnut oils....
No doubt, a stunning piece of wood. I would have loved to see that tree in its pristine/untouched state. Having only a piece is 2nd best, but it will be with us always. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I have a piece of Claro walnut (a bit over 2' by 11") that I sanded to 600 that I've had for more than 4 years because it's so beautiful I can't bring myself to cut it. So I'm totally with you on the idea of not leaving a beautiful piece rough sanded. (I immediately subscribed to your channel.) I know I'll enjoy your videos.
Good to see another man with top notch supplies and priceless materials for an amazing project that just lacks the courage to start. Even better to see one grow a pair and begin the damn thing.
Jax Turner by publicly stating this goal, I feel compelled to finally get it done.
😂😂😂😂Gentlemen! You are NOT ALONE, Lol!!!😉
Yup, many times I've stared at a beautiful piece of wood trying to figure out how not to be the guy who ruined it.
I hope you will let us all share your "rocker journey". Incredible piece of walnut for sure!
Tom Johnson im gathering my parts and studying the project now.
I can look at a piece of wood like that for years, simply taking in its beauty. We're fortunate enough to have had a coffee table made for us, out of English walnut, as a wedding present, a generation ago. It has a natural owl shape in it, which we'll continue to treasure. Your 'tree' beats ours, hands down!. Thanks for sharing your appreciation with us, Blair. I'll wait patiently to see how it makes your chair. 🙂
RWBHere yes, I am a wood junkie.
I don't believe that I have ever heard you more excited than about this beautiful piece of walnut. Go for it Blair!! Just keep us posted from time to time.
Stanley Thigpen this has been a dream for a long time. By publicly expressing my goal, I better do it! I have to do it.
You'll do it!!!
Great video. Russ just slabbed up some black walnut for me last week. He is a good guy and very knowledgeable.
n segraves Russ, the “Wildman”.
hope it comes out even better than you envision
and it ends up being a treasured heirloom
for many of your future generations
t0msan thanks, it has been a dream for over 20 years.
Probably 10 years ago we had a black walnut tree about 3 feet across trunk in our yard, near the corner of the house. It would've had wood similar to that at its main crotch where it devided perfectly. The reason its trunk was milled into beautiful wood was because it had been struck by lightning, which split it in half. Trunk was not damaged, but the other half was over the house, badly weakened by loosing its other half. We still have a couple of them, one's just a little sapling that came up on it's own. The other is young, only 1 foot across trunk. But it's got a massive wide spread and it's very tall. Its never been pruned its whole life, except some low branches that made it impossible to manage the yard.
That tree was a once in a lifetime tree. Congratulations on starting it Blair. That is one incredible piece of walnut. Hell even to call it just walnut is underscoring the beauty in that one chunk.
Greg Dent it has had me nervous to start for 20 years. If I don’t start it now, it might not ever happen! Thankfully, I have a mentor to advise me and keep me on track.
A few years too late maybe, but a good way to deal with the uncertainty of risk would be to make one or two chairs with other lumber before using that precious piece of Claro. Hope it turned out well!
Wow...gorgeous wood.! It reminds me of the Tiger Eye gemstone that shimmers and seems to change shape as you hold it at different angles to the sunlight. This will truly be a 'labor of love' for you.
marbleman52 and a looong build
Then may you have a long and passionate affair with your mistress...LOL..!!
Wow that’s really something awesome! Thank you for sharing.
It looks like the pelt of some exotic tiger. Sooo beautiful!
What a treat to simply handle such fine wood.
Absolutely beautiful!,can't wait to see the finished product.
Steve Jones stay tuned
Blair..I hope you are going to bring us along on you chair build. Will make great videos.
Gary McCoy will do
I so enjoy your videos. Your passion is infectious. I so appreciate your knowledge resultant from many years of experience. Thank you and God’s Rey best.
Bud Gillett thanks Bud. Are you also a woodworker?
It’s normal to feel dread regarding great projects with extraordinary stock. I’ve got it. Everyone I know has it. I’m glad to see that you have chosen to assail your Everest.
Paul Murphy I’m a rock climber so this is the face of half dome😊
Good luck with the project Blair. It's going to be a spectacular piece!
Big Papi honestly, I’m way over my head with this project. I have a good friend to help guide me.
Very nice!!!
Amazing piece of wood which I'm sure will be a wonderful work of functional art in the end. Thanks for the video.
Duncan MacKenzie are you familiar with Sam Maloof?
No I'm not but I will surely check out his works, thanks.
Met Sam Maloof twice! I agree -"the finest rocking chair ever built". (recently discovered your channel - enjoying your videos)
Robert Edmondson welcome. I am mostly about trees and Tree care but about 10 percent of my uploads are woodworking. Let me find the playlist on those for you.
Robert Edmondson playlist of 80 woodworking videos.
th-cam.com/play/PL6F5760D69E8DA777.html
Thankyou Blair Glenn (or Glenn Blair?). I do have an interest in woodworking (I too have my stash of special boards and veneers waiting for the right project). I also enjoy the problem solving and rigging solutions you show and describe when confronted with difficult tree removals.
Robert Edmondson first name is Blair. Keep up with your woodworking.
That is beautiful that's why I believe in God that he is the best artist this is all natural not even Picasso could draw something this beautiful
It’s hard not be believe in a greater power when you see the wonders of life on this planet. Interesting to see what other planets the new telescope finds.
Good decision. Looks good. Good luck and enjoy the process of creating.
Joseph Fimbel this has been a dream project for me.
Gorgeous! I can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm glad you're ON this project; it's so sad to see someone OFF his rocker. ;^)
Craig Mooring ya, I have defiantly been “off my rocker” for far too long. I have a close friend who has built one, accept my need for help. His shop will be featured.
Glenn, that is an incredible seat blank! Where are the chair videos??? :). I have a question. I have a walnut slab that I’m going to make a coffee table with. I just bought a couple of other Pieces of walnut online that I was planning to use for the legs. I notice that the density of the two “walnuts” are very different. One piece of wood is very dense and heavy while the other pieces feel much lighter (for the same size piece) and less dense. I’ve been looking online for information to try to identify which types of walnut I have. Who better to ask than an arborist? Thanks!
Blair that is a fabulous slab of walnut, I know what you are saying the depth when highly finished like that makes you feel like you could fall into it. Only happens on an exceptional slab but when you get it right there is nothing quite like it. Good luck with the rocker. Don't rush it, take your time.
John Bare Thanks John, to be honest, I’m a bit nervous about this. I have publicly announced my goal so I’m going to do it! It will take a long time I’m sure.
Great video. Like forged Damascus steel! A great skill to be able to appreciate this stuff. Thanks for the insight here. This is real wisdom that gives people more enjoyment in everyday life just by being perceptive of wood grain! Great work :)
Peter Brown most people can’t see the forest for the trees or the magic in a piece of wood. Glad you get it.
Amazing pc. of wood ,I can see why it excites you. I would of loved to have seen the tree before it was cut down !
That's one beautiful hunk of wood you got there.
To me, wood like that doesn't have defects, only extra character.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... there are so many ways to describe beautiful, that I do not judge. I agree apparently well with your taste of beautiful 😜but lucky there are many whom do not (so there is more for us 😎). added after the video end,.. good luck, that’s a Hugh challenge!
Joop Terwijn 👍🏻
Great video
Ron Stark thanks Ron, stay tuned
As I listen to you speak about bringing the beauty in this piece of wood out, I realize Jesus did the same when He was here showing off the tree He created. What furniture that must have been!!! Perfect I'd bet
Coil's Tree Service as a carpenter, I have always wondered what he built
arboristBlairGlenn I always imagine tables and stuff? Good question
True beauty!
Cliff Warmoth Me? Or the wood?😳
Good to know that there's woodworking arborist out there big hi they're from Kentucky
Nicholas Fiorucci i hate seeing wood go to waste
Mr. Blair thank you very much for your video, quick question, can I make pistol grips?.
yellownp22541 if you want to. Are you looking for wood?
I am Watching a box of Claro Walnut on eBay so I was wondering if this wood would be good for target pistol grips. So yes I am looking.
yellownp22541 it is used for butt stocks but pistols, not sure.
arboristBlairGlenn thank you very much.
Did you ever finish the chair?
How is the chair coming along? I just milled my firt two northern california black walnut stumps. Wow
Sadly, I had to put it on hold for a while. Got all the parts, just need a big chunk of time to build it. I will.
Blair, (I'm about 2 minutes in) I'd sand the top smooth,
and finish to a quality surface, clean up the (hopefully
raw) sides, and leave the bottom somewhat rough,
so one can see the original wood. Sides, just knock the
rough stuff, and sand off big lumps, but leave it natural
as much as possible.
steve
Steve Skouson keep watching- -
WELL worth the price of admission!
Keep us posted. AWESOME looking slab.
Just showed a friend the picture of the oiled
seat blank. He said it reminded him of a
topographic map.
steve
awesome peace of wood, that chair gonna be great..:D
Martin Spijker it will take a long time
everything good comes slowly..:)
Here is a link to a photo album of Sam’s house and furniture.
goo.gl/photos/2JpLjWmDwUz4ypdd6
Pecan & hickory are in the walnut family too
Coil's Tree Service very different to work with but yes, same family.
Haven't we had this "argument" before???🤔
Samuel Luria Yes sir, just another episode of Maury Povich. We have the results. Walnut IS the father!!!!😱
Lol, at least we all have a sense of humor!😂
How many thousand? Per slab?
Jax Turner need to ask Russ.
Yeah, the audio faded out at that point... wasn't sure if you said "a-thousand", or "x-thousand"...
Samuel Luria I did that on purpose
😂😂😂
In any case, I know what you mean as far as the difficulty of working with [all kinds of] Walnut, due to it's porousness. As much as I love it, I do tire of hearing everyone on TH-cam say how amazing it is, and that it's the "King of Hardwoods". It's neither very strong, nor very hard. It's beautiful, to be sure. But as you mentioned, it can't be burnished, like actually HARD hardwoods can be. Trust me, I LOVE Walnut, but it's not the highest quality wood out there, for a number of reasons... including the sapwood susceptibility which you mentioned...
I do believe it is illegal to have that much stunning beauty, plus you have tobe extremely cautious that could possibly take ones breath away, and mixing that with that amount of dumbfound causing gorgeousness could make ya forget to catch your breath and breath again.....
Carbonite Gamorrean 👍🏻
I’m just a wannabe. Hoping to get a few things made.
Bud Gillett everyone was a wannabe once. Just get started!
10* Next best option is to oil up and insanely buff essential oil into the wood to show the depth. Orange oil or an essential oil - not any petroleum or wood oils, shellacs, varnish ... the same for no linseed or tung oil ... no vegetable or food oils, no avocado (yellow-green tint), no olive oil (green tint). Maybe some of the original walnut seed oil or other nut oils (hazelnut/filbert, almond, ...). Safeway (or online) sells foreign nut oils for salads with these same products - or a health food store). Just buff the snot out of the wood with the essential oils penetrating deep into the wood, and these oils will go deep, stay deep, and further enforce the light, scattering, backlighting, enhancement of the wood (black is blacker, white is whiter, colors are more colored), grain, pores, deep sheen of the wood into its translucent and transparent properties (obsidian in thin slices can be seen through for its black and green-black colors, same for the rest of the crystallin oils allowing the wood to come alive) ... like any candy coat on a car. Much like petrified wood, cut into thin strips, can still be read by its pores and grains - identifying the original paleo era tree species.
John Lord not following your reasons for these essential oils. I intend to use the same finish that Maloof used.
This is not a very clear explanation, although I feel I agree with you, Lol. Don't be offended - I'm just saying that it wasn't clear. As an aside, I usually use Almond or Walnut oils....
fun fact: "feather crotch" was my nicname in college
Dylan T i don’t quite know how to respond to that. Were you in a woodworking school or does this have something to do with your love life?
arboristBlairGlenn both. It was the best of times it was the worst of times
Dylan T ahh, to be young again.