Very Large Cherry burl

Photo?

Brad Vietje

I'm pretty conservative when it comes to paying for wood -- even burls. Some are solid, excellent quality, well-formed and well-shaped, while others are full of bark inclusions, jelly-like goo, barbed wire, ants, wasps, etc... One view is that it's worth nothing until you work your magic on it, but there are other magicians out there, too.

I usually try to barter with something made from the burl, (or a finished piece from another burl of the same species), but unless you are turning thin and green from start to finish, that could take longer than some people are prepared to wait. A large burl could potentially yield $4000 worth of finished work, or $40, depending, in part, on your skill/experience/name recognition as a turner/artist), area, etc...

A solid, roundish medicine-ball burl w/out multiple lobes and bark inclusions is a rare treat, and usually not a sure bet till you cut into it, though with experience processing burls, you'll know when to get excited! I try to think of what I'd make and what I could sell it/those for, and offer a lot less than that. There's still a good deal of magic yet to come at that point ;~)

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Newbury, VT