Arch said:

Hi Greg, Here's another variation on a familiar theme. Don't know if
you have tried it, but some timber's shallow depressed textures can
return to the surface. NIP works for me, but someone here with more
experience can advise which timbers are best. Try some small shallow
hammer marks, sand the surrounding surface to flat & level with the
depressions. Moisten with water or better over a steaming kettle's spout
and see if the depressed texture now stands a bit proud of the
surrounding surface. ie. pimples (could be zits) instead of dimples.

While I've often used this method to remove accidental dings on stock,
I hadn't though of using this technique for creating textures. I'm
not certain how the variation from endgrain to sidegrain would work
out - it probably depends on the wood. Something to muse about...

I'm not certain what NIP is, however, other than something you sneak
before holiday dinner with the in-laws. Northern Ipswich Pine?
Norfolk Island Pine? Alas, we have neither - mostly drippy longleaf
pine.

Thanks, Arch


Greg G.