http://bessex.com/forum/ Mon, 18 May 2026 05:03:33 +0000 MyBB http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=499 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:27:57 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=499
When I first discovered the growths on the trunk of my majestic American Elm, I didn't know what they were. A year later the 50 foot tall massive old elm was clearly suffering and the following year it had expired.  We cut the tree about 12 feet up from the ground to keep the dead branches from crushing the adjacent shed. 

                                          
  Burl 1 re.jpg (Size: 1.62 MB / Downloads: 3)



I also trimmed one of the bumps off the trunk with my chain saw and took note of the strange grain at the saw line. That's when someone more familiar with wood than me told me that "that's burl". 

That's when I decided to turn the trimmed piece into a serving platter.

                                          
  Burl 4 re.jpg (Size: 1.98 MB / Downloads: 12)


And here is a closer look at the grain:

                                           
  Burr 5 re.jpg (Size: 1.08 MB / Downloads: 8)

Pleased with the results, I lopped off several more growths of various size and shape and produced various bowls and serving pieces from them.  This was all three years ago. The event that prompted this post occurred when I inspected my old burl trunk this year. I discovered that the old trunk has gone back into burl production again  and some of the new growths are quite massive:

                                           
  burl big joan.JPG (Size: 1.71 MB / Downloads: 10)

Anyhow, seems like this stuff would make some pretty nice tool and knife handles as well.]]>
When I first discovered the growths on the trunk of my majestic American Elm, I didn't know what they were. A year later the 50 foot tall massive old elm was clearly suffering and the following year it had expired.  We cut the tree about 12 feet up from the ground to keep the dead branches from crushing the adjacent shed. 

                                          
  Burl 1 re.jpg (Size: 1.62 MB / Downloads: 3)



I also trimmed one of the bumps off the trunk with my chain saw and took note of the strange grain at the saw line. That's when someone more familiar with wood than me told me that "that's burl". 

That's when I decided to turn the trimmed piece into a serving platter.

                                          
  Burl 4 re.jpg (Size: 1.98 MB / Downloads: 12)


And here is a closer look at the grain:

                                           
  Burr 5 re.jpg (Size: 1.08 MB / Downloads: 8)

Pleased with the results, I lopped off several more growths of various size and shape and produced various bowls and serving pieces from them.  This was all three years ago. The event that prompted this post occurred when I inspected my old burl trunk this year. I discovered that the old trunk has gone back into burl production again  and some of the new growths are quite massive:

                                           
  burl big joan.JPG (Size: 1.71 MB / Downloads: 10)

Anyhow, seems like this stuff would make some pretty nice tool and knife handles as well.]]> http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=498 Sat, 05 Oct 2019 16:36:53 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=498
For the time being I have Oregon sharpener file kit, but I have read that there exists Granberg Bar-Mount Chain Saw Sharpener made in California. Amazon delivers it to Europe, shipping’s and import fees are some 20 USD, so the total price for me would be some 55 USD.

Company Stihl offers similar device, but the price is several times higher.

Jan

Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Granberg-Bar-Moun...QC672JJQSJ]]>
For the time being I have Oregon sharpener file kit, but I have read that there exists Granberg Bar-Mount Chain Saw Sharpener made in California. Amazon delivers it to Europe, shipping’s and import fees are some 20 USD, so the total price for me would be some 55 USD.

Company Stihl offers similar device, but the price is several times higher.

Jan

Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Granberg-Bar-Moun...QC672JJQSJ]]> http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=285 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:00:51 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=285 If we use the results of Rockwell hardness study we can say that steel with 60 HRC is by 10% harder than 58 HRC steel.

The measured included angle of the Scandi grind is 29°.

BESS score is between 150 and 160.

Based on my measurements and calculations the thickness of the core of the blade is circa 0.06".

The Morakniv carving knife is not expensive (USD 25), but quality woodworking tool with premium-quality carbon knife steel.

Jan


  Morakniv.jpg (Size: 10.48 KB / Downloads: 8)


  IMG_5230small.jpg (Size: 149.5 KB / Downloads: 14) ]]> If we use the results of Rockwell hardness study we can say that steel with 60 HRC is by 10% harder than 58 HRC steel.

The measured included angle of the Scandi grind is 29°.

BESS score is between 150 and 160.

Based on my measurements and calculations the thickness of the core of the blade is circa 0.06".

The Morakniv carving knife is not expensive (USD 25), but quality woodworking tool with premium-quality carbon knife steel.

Jan


  Morakniv.jpg (Size: 10.48 KB / Downloads: 8)


  IMG_5230small.jpg (Size: 149.5 KB / Downloads: 14) ]]> http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=268 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:37:29 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=268

  John L. award.jpg (Size: 99.02 KB / Downloads: 1)

And here is the winning piece:


  John L. lamp.jpg (Size: 81.55 KB / Downloads: 8)

John J. does beautiful work as well:


  John L. goblet.jpg (Size: 84.03 KB / Downloads: 5)

More John Lucas:


  John L. cubes.jpg (Size: 69.37 KB / Downloads: 9)

Here is something that John Lucas is well known for, hand mirrors:


  John L. mirror.jpg (Size: 28.29 KB / Downloads: 5)


Absolutely beautiful! Once again, kudos to John Lucas and thank you to all our woodworkers for your participation in the BESS Exchange!]]>

  John L. award.jpg (Size: 99.02 KB / Downloads: 1)

And here is the winning piece:


  John L. lamp.jpg (Size: 81.55 KB / Downloads: 8)

John J. does beautiful work as well:


  John L. goblet.jpg (Size: 84.03 KB / Downloads: 5)

More John Lucas:


  John L. cubes.jpg (Size: 69.37 KB / Downloads: 9)

Here is something that John Lucas is well known for, hand mirrors:


  John L. mirror.jpg (Size: 28.29 KB / Downloads: 5)


Absolutely beautiful! Once again, kudos to John Lucas and thank you to all our woodworkers for your participation in the BESS Exchange!]]> http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=211 Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:05:32 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=211

  Exchange Pic.jpg (Size: 58.07 KB / Downloads: 15)

Not so pretty. We think that this edge has several problems but the question that we would like to pose here is this one; It would appear that the edge has rolled and that it has rolled toward the flat side of the blade (skive). This roll is bad enough that a fingernail can be hooked on it. Is this roll direction normal? From an apex structure standpoint it seems as if it might be but from an application standpoint (planing) it seems unlikely. Certainly this roll direction seems to be real deal killer in terms of a planing operation.

We're hoping that our woodworkers out there might be able to lend the benefit of their experience to this question.]]>

  Exchange Pic.jpg (Size: 58.07 KB / Downloads: 15)

Not so pretty. We think that this edge has several problems but the question that we would like to pose here is this one; It would appear that the edge has rolled and that it has rolled toward the flat side of the blade (skive). This roll is bad enough that a fingernail can be hooked on it. Is this roll direction normal? From an apex structure standpoint it seems as if it might be but from an application standpoint (planing) it seems unlikely. Certainly this roll direction seems to be real deal killer in terms of a planing operation.

We're hoping that our woodworkers out there might be able to lend the benefit of their experience to this question.]]> http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=67 Wed, 12 Apr 2017 13:01:28 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=67 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 09:50:32 +0000 http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14
The focus here is BESS. In later testing, I compared the edges of 80 and 180 grits with a spindle gouge. I also compared BESS readings for the same gouge sharpened with the wheel turning into the tool and trailing (turning away from the tool).

Especially with the 80 grit, there was quite a burr. BESS was close to 500. However, with just a visit with the leather honing wheel, BESS cleaned up to 130. I prefer the conventional Tormek SG grinding wheel for smooth sharpening, however, the quickly obtained 130 is not too shabby.

BESS gave me a very quick practical sharpness measurement, and one which would be understood by sharpeners anywhere. I find it a very useful tool.

Ken]]>
The focus here is BESS. In later testing, I compared the edges of 80 and 180 grits with a spindle gouge. I also compared BESS readings for the same gouge sharpened with the wheel turning into the tool and trailing (turning away from the tool).

Especially with the 80 grit, there was quite a burr. BESS was close to 500. However, with just a visit with the leather honing wheel, BESS cleaned up to 130. I prefer the conventional Tormek SG grinding wheel for smooth sharpening, however, the quickly obtained 130 is not too shabby.

BESS gave me a very quick practical sharpness measurement, and one which would be understood by sharpeners anywhere. I find it a very useful tool.

Ken]]>