Replies

1. 
   spindle | Nov 14, 2008 10:58pm | #1

   I'm not one of the experts by any means, but am familiar with Bois d' Arc. It's more common name is Osage Orange and some folks call it hedge. It's prized for primitive/self bow's because of it's strength under compression. Bowyers will split it in to staves and let it dry for a couple of years. Long straight lengths are uncommon, but it can be milled. Kind of like cherry it develops a darker patina over time and I've seen some beautiful boxes and benches made from it. As you already know it's a tough wood. It's also a bit toxic and you should avoid breathing the saw dust.

   Hope this helps.

   Greg

   
   

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   Edited 11/14/2008 2:59 pm ET by spindle

2. 
   Joe Sullivan | Nov 17, 2008 07:29am | #2

   It can indeed be milled.  I have a little milled Osage (Bois d Arc) myself.  It also turns beautifully.  It is very tough wood, and as it drys, it hardens.  Someone told me that the saps and resins crosslink over time and add significantly to the hardness, but I don't know if that is so.

   The wood will dull saws faster than most, but is workable.  It is fiberous, which can be a little vexing if you are trying to, say, use a scraper on some faces of the wood, especially if the area in question is not flat.  You can peel off long strings like an old piece of mineral asbestos.

   The bright orange yellow initial color oxidizes fairly quickly if not finished.  Over years it turns a sort of dark honey brown.  It retains some chatoyance for the long haul.  I have a doorstop I turned out of an old piece of Osage fence post about 35 years ago and necer finished with more than a touch of candle wax on the lathe.  It is still a pretty wood.  A little blonde shellac makes the freshly worked wood really glow, and enhances the chatoyance.

   When logging Osage, be careful of the sap, which doesn't wash out well.  I have heard of allergic reactions, but in many years of cuttng a lot for fence posts, firewood and lumber, I have never had a reaction.  The dust will stain.  In fact, find dus has been used as a sort of Khaki dye.

   The real challenge of the lumber is to cut long straight boards that are better than #2 grade.  The wood is twisty and has many knots, voids and flaws.  Nevertheless, it can be done.  I prefer to use splits for tool handles.  Have some really lovely chisel and rasp handles turned from somde of my Osage.

   All in all, it is challenging, but is also one of North America's more interesting hardwoods.

   Joe