I have a couple bowls in the finishing process and a thought just struck me. How many times have I been asked what is my favorite wood to turn? I would be willing to bet, every wood turner has been asked that question several times. With that, here are the bowls I'm working on.

 

First one is maple, this bowl is about 13" in diameter and I think the grain in it is just spectacular. It has some really nice quilting in several areas and maple just really finishes nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second bowl is walnut, a little smaller at about 11". Like the maple bowl, I think the grain in this walnut bowl is simply beautiful. No special markings, just that rich, chocolate shade that is walnut. I guess I would have to say, right now, maple and walnut are my two favorite woods to turn. I really can't narrow it down any further than that. I suspect that's subject to change the next time I get into some nice cherry, or ash, or sycamore, or spalted maple, or....... I mean, seriously, how can you pick just one favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

Kinda like asking who's your favorite child.

wow!!

Piece of the base stem of a shrub we removed. If only I had kept the other 5 pieces!

I agree Steve. The nicest wood I turn is the one I am working on at the time.  I did the same thing Lew.  I cut a bunch of Cedar type bushes down and saved a few pieces.  Wished I had saved more.

 

 

 

 

 

All beautiful pieces.  So my question, is there something that you guys see in the log in its raw state that draws you to turn that piece?

Duck sometime yes and some no . You really do not know for sure till you start turning for most pieces. Some I do not notice the special feature til I am finished. Or some like pecan have surprises in them.

As for the two bowls in my OP? No, there was nothing that made me think they were going to be anything special. Well, other than the fact the woods were maple and walnut. The wood was free and already down, that's about all I need to start spinning it.

 

Steve

On 2/11/2017 at 2:14 PM, Steve Krumanaker said:

I really can't narrow it down any further than that. I suspect that's subject to change the next time I get into some nice cherry, or ash, or sycamore, or spalted maple, or....... I mean, seriously, how can you pick just one favorite?

With that new load of seasoned cherry you just scored, I have a feeling a favorite is about to evolve...on the other hand, might the most favorite be that chunk of wood you just now loaded in the lathe?

BTW, for the record, the two pictured in the OP are pretty nice...think I like the maple one best...no, maybe the walnut one...darn, why do you have to make it this hard? Gotta look at them again.

On 2/11/2017 at 0:14 PM, Steve Krumanaker said:

right now, maple and walnut are my two favorite woods

 

I've often wondered what it would be to hybrid several woods together (not lay up but go for a new species)...

I know Oak is heavily hybridized...

http://www.treenames.net/ti/quercus/oak_trees.html

 

Edited February 13, 20179 yr by Stick486

Maple, Cherry and Walnut are my favorites for turning because they have a smooth surface when turned and sanded leading to a very nice finish.  What is found hidden inside while turning the piece is a bonus.