Desert ironwood, now what...?

[Doug Rasmussen]

Picked a few pieces up from a friend in Seattle. It's been stored outside for 5 years or more.

First piece, 10" diameter, 3 feet long, split nicely, unfortunately rot inside. Second piece, 14" diameter appears to be better. Took two of us to load it. Trying to split it into smaller sections. My friend warned me, it doesn't split easily.

Anybody worked with this material? Is it prone to cracking?

 

[Ed Davidson]

I've turned a lot of Desert Ironwood for boxes, yo-yos and other smallish turnings. Turns easy, fine grain holds lots of detail, sanding is not difficult at all. Shines up real pretty. Some of it can be quite spectacular:

 

[Aaron Harris]

One of my favorite woods. DI takes a gorgeous luster with no finish needed. Razor-sharp tools a must. I hope you can rescue enough of that at least for some shaving brushes, duck calls or pens. Incidentally, shaving brushes are what started me down this rabbit hole after years of re-scaling straight razors, basically wanting to make matching sets with a shaving brush and occasionally, a bowl to make it a trio.

 

[hughie]

wow gotta love the colour

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

One of my favorite woods. DI takes a gorgeous luster with no finish needed. Razor-sharp tools a must. I hope you can rescue enough of that at least for some shaving brushes, duck calls or pens. Incidentally, shaving brushes are what started me down this rabbit hole after years of re-scaling straight razors, basically wanting to make matching sets with a shaving brush and occasionally, a bowl to make it a trio.
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Outstanding work! Beautiful wood! Have you posted this set in the gallery?

 

[Aaron Harris]

Outstanding work! Beautiful wood! Have you posted this set in the gallery?

Thanks, Emiliano, and no, I have not. By the way, I love that giant bowl you're turning on Instagram too. All that beautiful koa wood you have access to is just amazing.