Okay. There is a section I can do that to. Another part where it has no
direction as it is so burly. I hope it is dry enough.

As for it being myrtle, thanks res for letting me know where is is from.
It just looked nice in the woodstore so I though I would try it. It is
really a small bowl blank but I have more interest in pens right now, sooo.

John

Jim Gott wrote:

I gots me this burl thingy I wanner cut up into pen blanks.
My question is, which way?

One way, looks neat, the general grain will be going accross the width
of the pen, rather that the traditional way being sort of up and down
the lenghth.

It is a Myrtle burl, whatever that is. Doesn't feel too hard really.

If I cut it up the more traditional looking way, I don't thing there
will be so much figure showing. But If I cut it up the other way, will
it turn okay?

Any thoughts??

John
BRBR

John,

Cut it on the bias (about 30 degrees off the axis) so most of the long grain is
still going down the pen, but the bias cut will show off more of the figure.
Look at any pens in catalogs of dymond wood to see what I mean about direction
of cut.
Also, make sure the blanks are DRY before you make the pens. If they're not dry
they'll surely crack as they do dry later.
-Jim Gott-
San Jose, CA