Wiley Horne--So. Calif.
>Hi Bill and all,

I would like to agree with you and Warren, with one caveat. I think I know exactly what you're talking about. I am looking at a cherry table top right now, one that has some curl figure to it (though not outrageous like Hank's). It has a subtle mottling effect that brings out the figure, and is just beautiful. There is an overall rolling, sort of wide quilted effect. I began the finish of this top with one coat of 1/2 pound dewaxed blonde shellac, as a partial filler.

Now. Years ago, when my finish for everything was Minwax oil stain, I would sometimes have a cherry board, that when the oil hit it, it would be clear over most of the board, but would have one large patch of 'blotch'--maybe a patch of grain runout. Now that looked like hell, because it did not give that rolling effect that enhances the grain and figure--it simply looked like a stain, like something had been spilled on the wood. And it is deep--would not come out.

So. Hank's issue is to know what he has before he commits to a finish. I would suggest take two large enough pieces of raw planed scrap, and use a thin shellac coat on one, and oil on the other, and see whether he likes more contrast (oil finish) between dark and light in the curl figure, or a more subtle contrast (thinned shellac). If he wants a very clear even finish, he could try a 1-lb or higher cut. My point is, it is controllable.

I'm not sure what the magazine writers are talking about, but there is such a thing as random stain-looking blotch, which is not the same as as the natural rolling figure I think you are talking about.

Wiley