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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292 posts in 394 days
posted 355 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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8632 posts in 414 days
posted 355 days ago
Good title!
-- Maplewood, MN
Chip
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1058 posts in 632 days
posted 355 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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1333 posts in 479 days
posted 355 days ago
Some people just know how to say things in the fewest words possible.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Blake
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2248 posts in 414 days
posted 355 days ago
Um…
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Is it just me?
-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com
Betsy
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1888 posts in 436 days
posted 355 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 :-)
-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!
Thos. Angle
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3443 posts in 502 days
posted 355 days ago
Thanks, Jembo for a job well done.? Huh????
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
mrtrim
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1548 posts in 420 days
posted 355 days ago
dang i guess i need my prescription checked
Karson
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14323 posts in 940 days
posted 355 days ago
Is this an entry into the box or the 2 X 4 catagory?
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
SPalm
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744 posts in 422 days
posted 354 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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1548 posts in 420 days
posted 354 days ago
me either steve , it must machine well i cant detect any tearout !!
mrtrim
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1548 posts in 420 days
posted 354 days ago
sorry jembo just having fun with the hiccup
MsDebbieP
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12282 posts in 700 days
posted 354 days ago
no apologies needed….
such posts keep our brains active
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
jembo
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104 posts in 553 days
posted 354 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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1333 posts in 479 days
posted 354 days ago
Interesting information jembo. Thanks for filling the blanks.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Douglas Bordner
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2741 posts in 603 days
posted 354 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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869 posts in 627 days
posted 354 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.