Unlocking the language of wood

Welcome to our glossary, specially curated for those new to the wonderful world of woodworking. At 'handcraftedbyandrew', I pour passion and skill into every piece, and sometimes, the terms I use might sound a little unfamiliar. This page is here to demystify some of the unique words and techniques behind my creations, giving you a clearer idea of what makes each piece truly special. Explore and discover the craft!

Captivating craftsmanship: captive rings

Imagine a wooden bowl with delicate rings that are part of the original piece but can move freely within a carved section. These are 'captive rings'. This advanced woodworking technique involves turning the main form on a lathe, then carefully cutting and shaping the rings from the same block of wood, but leaving them 'captured' within the design. It's a testament to precision and patience, adding a unique, interactive elegance to bowls and other turned items.

The artistic beauty of spalted wood

'Spalted' wood refers to timber that has undergone a natural process of fungal decay, typically at the early stages. This isn't rot, but a beautiful transformation where fungi create stunning, intricate dark lines and patterns throughout the wood grain. Each piece of spalted wood is unique, showcasing organic artistry that cannot be replicated. It's highly prized for its decorative appeal in my bowls, platters, and other artistic creations, adding depth and character.

It also adds an element of difficulty when being worked as the density can vary enormously resulting in tools catching and potentially breaking the item being made.

Revealing the hidden gems: burr and burl

A 'burr' (or 'burl' in American English) is a tree growth in which the wood grain has grown in a deformed manner. It's often found on the trunk or branches as a rounded outgrowth filled with small knots from dormant buds or where a branch has been removed. When cut, burrs reveal an incredibly dense, swirled, and often highly figured grain pattern that is exceptionally beautiful and distinct from the straight grain of the tree. I love working with burr wood for its unique aesthetic, making truly individual pieces with a rich, complex character.

The rich tones of sapele

'Sapele' (pronounced sah-pee-lee) is a beautiful, dark reddish-brown wood (similar looking to mahogany) originating from tropical Africa. It's renowned for its distinctive 'ribbon' figure, which appears as shimmering stripes when the wood is cut in certain ways, giving it an almost three-dimensional look. Sapele is a durable and stable hardwood, making it excellent for a variety of projects. Its luxurious colour and appealing grain make it a favourite for my finely crafted pieces, adding a touch of classic elegance.

Discovering mopane: strength and character

'Mopane' (moh-pah-nay) is an incredibly dense and heavy hardwood native to southern Africa, known for its exceptional strength and durability. Its heartwood typically ranges from a reddish-brown to a darker, almost blackish-brown, often with attractive streaks of yellow or red. Mopane is notoriously hard to work with, challenging even experienced woodworkers, but it yields an exceptionally smooth finish and is resistant to rot and insect damage. I enjoy using Mopane for pieces where its incredible resilience and striking appearance can truly shine.

From anjan to ziricote

There are literally hundreds of exotic hardwoods out there, some are rarely seen anymore due to deforestation and overuse and are now critically endangered.

I try to use every piece of timber to the absolute maximum, and recycle or upcycle wood whenever possible.

Some of the exotic woods I have used are: anjan, eucalyptus, jatoba, ziricote, zebrano, mopane, sapele, East Indian rosewood, cocobolo, muirapiranga, African red sandalwood, iroko, braaiwood, and probably more.

I am always happy to look at other woods for those special projects, just ask.