Project Information
A friend of mine asked me to make a gift box for a custom pocket knife he ordered for his son's wedding gift. Of course I was happy to oblige. The box is approximately 6"X3"X2" and made from Mesquite Burl. It was finished with Shellac using the French Polishing technique and accented with natural edge feet and button top.
I'm fortunate to have a very large and very beautiful Mesquite Burl from Abilene TX, which my dad gave to me. I used my bandsaw to resaw a couple of slices to make the box.
I borrowed the custom knife to make a template for the box and quickly returned it. After a couple of days I had the box roughed out.
After hours of sanding it was time for finishing. I decided to go with Blonde Shellac using the French Polishing technique. I feel like it brings out the beauty of the wood without using stain. I also believe the French Polishing technique provides the best high gloss finish. It's very labor intensive and difficult to learn, but when done properly the overall finish is hard to beat.
Here is a Before and After that shows the depth of the finish developing after only a couple of polishing sessions.
While working on the finish I also started working on some accent feet and button top, all having a natural edge. I like to contract the refined look of the box with natural edge accents.
This is the box Before and After adding the natural edge accents.
I'm fortunate to have a very large and very beautiful Mesquite Burl from Abilene TX, which my dad gave to me. I used my bandsaw to resaw a couple of slices to make the box.
I borrowed the custom knife to make a template for the box and quickly returned it. After a couple of days I had the box roughed out.
After hours of sanding it was time for finishing. I decided to go with Blonde Shellac using the French Polishing technique. I feel like it brings out the beauty of the wood without using stain. I also believe the French Polishing technique provides the best high gloss finish. It's very labor intensive and difficult to learn, but when done properly the overall finish is hard to beat.
Here is a Before and After that shows the depth of the finish developing after only a couple of polishing sessions.
While working on the finish I also started working on some accent feet and button top, all having a natural edge. I like to contract the refined look of the box with natural edge accents.
This is the box Before and After adding the natural edge accents.