While I really like the look of the maple burl heads i have to say they are an absolute bear to work on. Due to the hardness of the wood, the lack of direction to the grain and the variability in hardness due to all the knots sanding them takes 2-3 times longer than any of the other wooden heads i do. Add to that the risk when i cut one out that there will be a big flaw that i could not see before cutting and you have a beautiful material that is a lot of trouble to work with. that being said the commissioned maple burl stick is approaching the home stretch now. The stripped hazel shank and water buffalo horn collar are fully sanded and finished as is the neck with the rest of the head still needing an evening or two of sanding to finish up. This stick is short and very light and was intended to have a brass foot, but looking at the collar i think i am going to recommend a black horn foot to match the collar.
While I really like the look of the maple burl heads i have to say they are an absolute bear to work on. Due to the hardness of the wood, the lack of direction to the grain and the variability in hardness due to all the knots sanding them takes 2-3 times longer than any of the other wooden heads i do. Add to that the risk when i cut one out that there will be a big flaw that i could not see before cutting and you have a beautiful material that is a lot of trouble to work with. that being said the commissioned maple burl stick is approaching the home stretch now. The stripped hazel shank and water buffalo horn collar are fully sanded and finished as is the neck with the rest of the head still needing an evening or two of sanding to finish up. This stick is short and very light and was intended to have a brass foot, but looking at the collar i think i am going to recommend a black horn foot to match the collar.
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