| Project by Ryan Shervill | posted 606 days ago | 2369 views | 20 times favorited | 31 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
Hello all, with the recent discussions on curved legs and floating tops, I thought I’d share some pics of a piece I did I while back. This table was built for a woodworking competition a couple of years ago, and I just haven’t been able to bring myself to part with it since then….either that or I just havent been offered enough $$ :)
It’s built in my signature style, and made of “Wet Wood”, Virgin Old-growth timber that was logged about 165 years ago during the first cutting up here. The log became saturated and sank to the bottom of Georgian Bay while being floated to the mill. This particular log is Flame Birch, and was recovered from 130 feet of water. The red lumber is the heartwood from deep inside the tree, while the green board is part of the outer portion of the log that was buried in the mineral rich sediment on the bottom. That green colour is not a stain or dye of any kind, it is 100% natural….a result of minerals depositing themselves in the wood.
Heres a close-up of the legs/splined tennons. The legs start at 1 1/2” X 2 1/4”, and taper down to 7/8” square at the tips. (Excuse the dust!)
BTW, The sculpture is also made of old growth birch, and is sitting on a base of white oak that is actually a chunk fom the end of one of the recovered logs
And on the same topic, this is a bench that I made of the “not so showy part” of the same log for Canadian Woodworking Magazine.
Thanks for looking!
Ryan Shervill
-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com




































31 comments so far
Hersh
home | projects | blog
59 posts in 607 days
posted 606 days ago
Wow,
Beautifull and exquisite works of art. Your work is fine furniture at it’s best.
-- Hersh from Port Angeles, WA - Gotta Complete That Project!
restowood
home | projects | blog
22 posts in 607 days
posted 606 days ago
Very nice work, those are the kind of pieces that make me say “maybe one of these days”.
-- "Nature provides us with the most beautiful things in this world"
stanley2
home | projects | blog
278 posts in 687 days
posted 606 days ago
Ryan – wonderful application of fabulous figured birch. How did you finish it?
-- Phil in British Columbia
HallTree
home | projects | blog
2040 posts in 660 days
posted 606 days ago
Some nice work Ryan. Some very nice wood has been found from old logs that have been hiden for years under water. They have brought up some from Lake Superior that are selling for a lot of money.
-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota
jm82435
home | projects | blog
508 posts in 634 days
posted 606 days ago
Wow, I think I would have a hard time parting with that too. Thanks for sharing it with us.
-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
3710 posts in 872 days
posted 606 days ago
wow!
Great designs and workmanship here.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
20554 posts in 714 days
posted 606 days ago
Ryan,
Your work is a pleasure to view, as always. The sculpture looks simply wonderful. I would have a hard time parting with any of these as well so I can understand you dilemma. Wonderful post.
By the way your work is improving. I see from the table top that you are capable of cutting some straight lines. With practice you will improve. :)
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
ben
home | projects | blog
158 posts in 763 days
posted 606 days ago
Ryan,
I think I just experienced my first true case of wood lust. That color is simply astounding. Thanks for setting and sharing a higher standard with your work.
-b
Thos. Angle
home | projects | blog
4015 posts in 855 days
posted 606 days ago
Ryan, your craftsmanship and unique design is always an inspiration to me. this is just a wonderful piece. thanks.
-- Thos. Angle
GaryK
home | projects | blog
9521 posts in 880 days
posted 606 days ago
That’s a fantastic looking table, Ryan. Those legs are great!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Blake
home | projects | blog
2755 posts in 766 days
posted 606 days ago
Gorgeous. Beautiful design and beautiful wood. I’m glad you showed us this!
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Colin
home | projects | blog
186 posts in 813 days
posted 606 days ago
I love the history of the wood, I also marvel that after all that time the wood is capable of being dried out and able to be useful. Do you know how or why this piece of wood was retreived after all those years?
Oh, and bye the way, a wonderful design and excellent craftmanship.
-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"
teenagewoodworker
home | projects | blog
2479 posts in 660 days
posted 606 days ago
thats a beautiful grain pattern. and the finish really brings out the color in the wood, great job!
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
14159 posts in 1053 days
posted 606 days ago
SWEET… so artistic and “fluid”.
(laughed at the straight line / you’re improving comment hahaha)
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bradford
home | projects | blog
787 posts in 715 days
posted 606 days ago
Yeah, he’s got splinters in his blood.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.
CharlieM1958
home | projects | blog
7601 posts in 1110 days
posted 606 days ago
You are an inspiration to us woodbutchers!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
SPalm
home | projects | blog
944 posts in 774 days
posted 606 days ago
Yo Ryan, you got skills. Thanks for posting. I love the details on the first piece.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
ChasHutch
home | projects | blog
56 posts in 607 days
posted 606 days ago
Dang
-- Hutch - North Dallas, Tx - Safety First
rikkor
home | projects | blog
11338 posts in 767 days
posted 606 days ago
You outdid yourself on this one. It is exquisite.
Kipster
home | projects | blog
1072 posts in 645 days
posted 605 days ago
Yep! Had to make that a favorite. Sorry but I think I may have to copy it someday.
-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison
ND2ELK
home | projects | blog
6136 posts in 666 days
posted 605 days ago
The wood in this piece is simply beautiful along with the piece itself. Very nice design and craftsmanship.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
MSRiverdog
home | projects | blog
39 posts in 628 days
posted 605 days ago
Nice work, your pics are now in my “Save” file.
-- http://www.riverviewwoodworking.com
ATWilliams
home | projects | blog
99 posts in 627 days
posted 604 days ago
Very, Very awesome,, where do you purchase your lumber from,, I would love to get my hands on some .
Thanks
Tony
-- A. T. Williams Creation's
TomK
home | projects | blog
503 posts in 767 days
posted 575 days ago
That’s a priceless piece and the the story behind the sinker it great too. Your bench is beautiful too. Any of the sinker log left?
-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke
dennis mitchell
home | projects | blog
3791 posts in 1207 days
posted 490 days ago
How did I miss this one! Just awesome.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
jockmike2
home | projects | blog
7297 posts in 1139 days
posted 490 days ago
Beautiful, I’ve read that the wood that they find down there makes wonderful music instruments because of the tight grain. It’s the same with the wood they have hauled out of Lake Superior. Your work is awesome.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
trifern
home | projects | blog
7894 posts in 659 days
posted 487 days ago
Great design. I love the floating top.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Dennis Zongker
home | projects | blog
1014 posts in 484 days
posted 471 days ago
you do some great work. Beautiful design!!!
-- Dennis Zongker
scottb
home | projects | blog
3403 posts in 1219 days
posted 471 days ago
missed this the first go round. Beautiful work! makes me want to learn to dive and do a little recovery of my own.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Randolph Torres
home | projects | blog
114 posts in 421 days
posted 381 days ago
This is a very fine table I like every aspect of it.
-- another tip from cooperedpatterns
mmh
home | projects | blog
1379 posts in 614 days
posted 381 days ago
Very extraordinary work! You have done the wood justice with your craftsmanship!
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe