Wood Choices
I prefer using local hardwoods. Below are the woods I always have in my shop. I have a limited amount of a few other weird locals (e.g., persimmon, mulberry, spalted maple) and if you're willing to pay extra, I can probably get any exotic you want (e.g., wenge, bubinga, canary wood, purple heart). I have access to exotics, I just don't have them sitting around the shop.
Let me know if you want some extra character. I prefer character, and most of my woods will have it, but it varies. The middle scope is walnut but it has gray, black, brown, tan, and little hint of red. Cherry can have streaks, maple can be curly, ambrosia, or spalted; all of which can run from a little to a lot of character. Oak can be quartersawn which causes stripes across the figure. Quartersawn sycamore looks like reptile skin to me. Wanting to go wild and want knots? It's your choice. Just remember, figure in woods vary (a lot). Notice the variation in quartersawn oak boards. Kaleidoscopes are relatively little, and you just may not be able to see a lot of figure.
I typically use a light and dark wood (e.g., maple and walnut), but honestly walnut and cherry or quartersawn oak look good together.
Whatever you choose, I'll use a contrasting colored slide for the object chamber (my choice in woods) and you'll probably get walnut end-pieces. Once again, my choice.
I also make scopes with two kinds of Celtic carvings (knots and squares). The carvings are done in basswood with a dark stain which makes the carvings stand out. There is an additional $30 charge for hand carved scopes.
Let me know if you want some extra character. I prefer character, and most of my woods will have it, but it varies. The middle scope is walnut but it has gray, black, brown, tan, and little hint of red. Cherry can have streaks, maple can be curly, ambrosia, or spalted; all of which can run from a little to a lot of character. Oak can be quartersawn which causes stripes across the figure. Quartersawn sycamore looks like reptile skin to me. Wanting to go wild and want knots? It's your choice. Just remember, figure in woods vary (a lot). Notice the variation in quartersawn oak boards. Kaleidoscopes are relatively little, and you just may not be able to see a lot of figure.
I typically use a light and dark wood (e.g., maple and walnut), but honestly walnut and cherry or quartersawn oak look good together.
Whatever you choose, I'll use a contrasting colored slide for the object chamber (my choice in woods) and you'll probably get walnut end-pieces. Once again, my choice.
I also make scopes with two kinds of Celtic carvings (knots and squares). The carvings are done in basswood with a dark stain which makes the carvings stand out. There is an additional $30 charge for hand carved scopes.