r/woodworking • u/lambertb • 1d ago

Project Submission Figured birch

The chatoyancy in this figured birch is amazing and can best be appreciated when you see it from different angles. This is after just one light coat of shellac. And it the bottom of the box. The top is even nicer.

1.1k Upvotes

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24 comments sorted by

17

u/spitfiremk14 1d ago

That is beautiful. Haven’t seen birch like that before.

14

u/lambertb 1d ago

Here’s a photo from another perspective. You can see there is crazy figure throughout. Most of the box came from the same board.

8

u/lambertb 1d ago edited 1d ago

I have to thank the folks at Owl Hardwood in Des Plaines, IL. There were just a few pieces like this amidst all their other ordinary birch. I’m going to get more when I can. Tricky to work. Planes needed to be very sharp, and then still needed scraping to deal with tear out from all the rising grain. But well worth the time. I’ll take some pics when it’s all done. Thanks for the kind words everyone.

8

u/lambertb 1d ago

A shot of the top. I’ll post a few more when it’s all finished.

10

u/thegooseofalltime 1d ago

I said biiiiiiiiiiiiiirch

1

u/Kerrumz 1d ago

Heard that in epic voice guy...

2

u/Homer_JG 22h ago

Wrong reference 

7

u/GoalTimely9293 1d ago

Wow, I had no idea birch could be that.... sexy. Great work!

3

u/torb 1d ago

I have birch flooring in three rooms. The light play on the shimmering bits is really beautiful. Had them 16 years now, so I don't notice the it that often.

4

u/Salido-Atelier 1d ago

Beautiful! The chatoyancy is holographic! Very nice material.

3

u/Pristine_Serve5979 1d ago

She’s so hottt

3

u/eugdot 1d ago

Beauty of a box.

3

u/kiln_monster 1d ago

I love birch!!! I can be mesmerized by the figuring on a birch door forever!!

3

u/Busted1012024 1d ago

Stunning.

2

u/Cespenar 1d ago

Love it. Sometimes I just stare at the figure in the maple desk I built. What is it about figure wood that scratches the brain itch so well? 

2

u/KingoftheKeeshonds 1d ago

Gorgeous piece. I’ve turned spalted beech but I didn’t know it could have such figure. It has a great color too.

2

u/BarberParticular 1d ago

Its got a really wide variation almost like zebra stripes as opposed to tiger stripes. Super cool

2

u/under_the_wave 1d ago

Oh… oh my

2

u/Agreeable_Horror_363 1d ago

Beautiful. Almost looks like flames.

2

u/Quadplum 1d ago

Beautiful. I also like how the end grain on the dovetails looks quite a bit darker. Cool contrast

2

u/rusty_handlebars 16h ago

Looks like sunlight through water 

2

u/Londonsmaze 12h ago

I think I’m getting aroused…