Fir Bowl Blank DF107
3.3" x 9" x 9"
3.9 lbs.
This is a half-log bowl blank of slow-growth Douglas Fir from the San Juan Islands. The growth rings are exceptionally closely-spaced, similar to the rings seen in Old Growth lumber. This is due to the San Juan archipelago being in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula. Total annual rain on the San Juans is approximately 25 inches, as compared to the 100+ inches received in the Olympic Mountains. The trees here are generally secondary growth and what we refer to as "slow growth" with their tight growth ring spacing.
This half-log bowl blank includes heartwood, sapwood, and bark. The heartwood is a light reddish-brown with an orange tint. The sapwood is much lighter than the heartwood and ranges from pale yellowish-white to a light cream color. The bark is dark brown to reddish-brown; its texture is rough and deeply furrowed. The bark is complete and well-attached. With the bark on the backside, you have the option of turning a conventional bowl or a "barky" natural-edge bowl. However, if you want a full bark edge on the "natural" rim, you will need to secure the bark with CA glue before and possibly during turning.
This turning blank has been air-dried to under 10% moisture content. We dry in the log, well-sealed with Anchor Seal prior to cutting into their final circular form. There are occasionally some fine cosmetic (not structural) cracks present that you may wish to fill with epoxy or CA glue.