I wrote yesterday about how much I enjoyed this site and added some details about what I have been up to and projects in stages of planning – kind of got my nose rubbed in it, so to speak.
I guess I have got to contribute more often, but my professional and family life keep me tied up. I have learned more here than from my subscriptions to a woodworking magazine, or from the 12 or so books on woodworking that I have.
I really appreciate the people and craftsmen and the content that they take the time to develop and share here. Hopefully I will be “qualified” enough to add some real content someday.
It is quite amazing that an empty blog can get more feedback than ones that people take a little time to write, but hey – cyber space can be a bit of a vacuum.
And -wow- I did not know one could play chinese whispers online.
Back to the Hornbeam also known as ironwood. I bought some a couple of months back, being inspired to make my own bench someday.
Hornbeam
Hornbeam is a white wood with attractive flecks and swirls in its grain. It has a beautiful smooth finish often compared to ivory. Hornbeam is a very dense hardwood and is now sold for furniture or turnery.
Exceptionally hard – Hornbeam was once the main source of very hard wood in Britain, and was available in larger sizes than the equally prized boxwood. Its name originates from its use in oxen yokes (the beam between the horns) which were subjected to considerable wear. It was also traditionally used to make mill cogs, piano parts, chopping blocks, pulleys, mallets etc anything that required a high resistance to wear.
-- James - Geneva, Switzerland
17 comments so far
rpmurphy509
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290 posts in 749 days
posted 710 days ago
I’m relatively new to LJ’s, and am constantly surprised by the quality of the work the members here
apply to their projects. Inspiring to say the least.
Hornbeam sounds like a very interesting wood. Imagine that it would be great to use in making
hand planes and tool handles as well.
-- Still learning everything
rikkor
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11335 posts in 769 days
posted 710 days ago
Good title!
Chip
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1058 posts in 987 days
posted 710 days ago
I couldn’t help but respond to this blog. Hope it doesn’t become to contriversial ;-)
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.
Russel
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2058 posts in 834 days
posted 710 days ago
Some people just know how to say things in the fewest words possible.
-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
Blake
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2757 posts in 769 days
posted 710 days ago
Um…
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Is it just me?
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Betsy
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2386 posts in 791 days
posted 710 days ago
Personally, I like the way he’s used a unicorn horn in the midst of his angled thimajib to contrast the hornbeam – am I the only one who can fully appreciate this? Hummmmmm :-)
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 857 days
posted 710 days ago
Thanks, Jembo for a job well done.? Huh????
-- Thos. Angle
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 775 days
posted 710 days ago
dang i guess i need my prescription checked
Karson
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25801 posts in 1295 days
posted 710 days ago
Is this an entry into the box or the 2 X 4 catagory?
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
SPalm
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948 posts in 777 days
posted 709 days ago
At least just a hicup and not burp.
I have never tied Hornbeam either.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 775 days
posted 709 days ago
me either steve , it must machine well i cant detect any tearout !!
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 775 days
posted 709 days ago
sorry jembo just having fun with the hiccup
MsDebbieP
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14159 posts in 1056 days
posted 709 days ago
no apologies needed….
such posts keep our brains active
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
jembo
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105 posts in 908 days
posted 709 days ago
Oh boy, I hope I have not created a monster with the empty blog, but -wow- chinese whispers and run away imaginations are not new, they were around before the net..LOL
-- James - Geneva, Switzerland
Russel
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2058 posts in 834 days
posted 709 days ago
Interesting information jembo. Thanks for filling the blanks.
-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
Douglas Bordner
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3423 posts in 959 days
posted 709 days ago
Whew, glad I revisited this post after the big blank in the morning.
Pictures of Hornbeam here
And the Wikipedia definition of Chinese Whispers here).
Now I feel centered again.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Sawdust2
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1186 posts in 983 days
posted 709 days ago
I could swear that I posted an entry here this AM just after Karson.
Wondered why no one caught on about the virgin woodworker.
Pulse even says there are comments after mine but no mine.
Hmmm. Cyber spacey!
But I would like to get some hornbeam.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.