Sgian Dubh #3 in progress

[MacGowan]

A couple of years ago, after I retired, I worked part time in a gun shop. A very nice older Hawaiian gentleman came in one day with his grandsons. He had come over to the mainland for a family visit. During a friendly conversation we discovered we each a passion for woodworking. I do custom rifle stock work and he builds furniture.


He asked me if I had ever used Koa Wood (Native to Hawaii). I told him that I had heard of it, but had never worked with it. About two weeks later, surpisingly, a Priority parcel came into the shop adressed to me, in care of the shop. Inside were two 2" x 10" x 16" slabs of Koa Wood with a note from the Hawaiian gentleman thanking me for the interesting conversation and pleasant visit.


I decided to pair it up with Ebony in my next Sgian Dubh. I'm slowing getting it shaped between other projects. I put some mineral spirits on the Koa to see how it would finish. It looks like flames. Absolutely beautiful wood.

The sketch is what the intended result , I hope, will be...


119_1592.JPG119_1595.JPG

[auld argonian]

Koa is very desirable in ukulele's....and priced accordingly. Love the sketch...I assume that the inlay will be the ebony?

Best

AA

[MacGowan]

AA,
The Ebony is the black piece at the bolster in the photo. The inlay will be carved Water Buffalo horn and Elk antler.


Thanks...


Ron

[McFarkus]

The wood is so beautiful, I'd omit the inlay. Spectacular color.

[TheOfficialBren]

Nice!

[MacGowan]

The wood is so beautiful, I'd omit the inlay. Spectacular color.

The more I look at it, the more I think you may be right. I'll have to re-think the inlay.

Thanks...

[MacGowan]

After being sidetracked for a couple of months. I finally got it finished. I decided to go with an inlay. I'm going to give it to my Daughter's Beau for a gift to his best man. My compensation will be a couple of bottles of fine single malt, of his choice.

Ron