Spalted Maple

Using Spalted Woods for Pens

Of all the woods used by wood workers to produce pens, one of the most beautiful wooden pens that can be made is with the use of spalted hardwoods.  Exquisite designs and textures are evident when using these woods.  Spalted hardwood is wood that is actually rotting away and caused by the natural processes of fungi on the wood.

The most common type of spalted wood used for pen making is wood that is discolored (or colored) with darker lines and spaces throughout the wood.  Generally, most are dark or black lines throughout the wood blank used to make pens.  This is caused by a black fungus known commonly as Xylaria polymorpha also known as Dead Man’s Finger due to its finger-like appearance.

Some hardwoods used to make pens from spalted wood are hackberry, maple, grapefruit and other citrus wood, oak and others.  Both hackberry and maple make extraordinary looking pens with vivid lines and sections that provide character to the piece.  Spalted citrus varieties are more subtle, usually have insect holes which add great character and turn beautifully on a lathe.  Pens made with spalted oak provide striking lines which accentuate the natural grain of the wood.

Although the wood is rotting, it is stabilized to prevent further decay prior to or during working with the wood.  For pen making, stabilization usually is performed with the use of cyanoacrylate adhesives which halts any further decay.  This process seals the wood and allows for the dramatic color, textures and character to permanently remain.

Since spalted wood contains fungal spores, proper respiratory protection should be employed to avoid breathing in the spores.  A dust mask is generally used by wood workers when working with spalted wood, as well as dust collection devices.

Despite this apparent condition of working with spalted woods, most wood workers regularly employ spalted woods to manufacture other items other than pens, but generally refrain from using them to produce items that can be used with food contact.

Pens, on the other hand take the spalted wood blanks down to a small portion of the starting size in order to make the pen barrel(s).  A ¾ inch square black can be reduced to a pen barrel with a minimal thickness of 1/16 inch.  As more wood is exposed, the underlying spalted areas are exposed dramatically.

Pens made with insect holes or trails present offer a unique design that can make the pen even more beautiful than with spalting alone.  Many of the citrus woods exhibit this and turn out beautiful looking pens.  When polished, they stand out, not as oddities, but as mini art works created by a wood worker with creativity in mind.

While wood workers take a piece of spalted wood and imagine what they can see in their minds how that finished piece should appear, pen crafters see the same vision as they turn the blanks.  By applying cyanoacrylate adhesive as they turn the pen, the piece becomes stronger and takes polishing very well, even to a high gloss, glass-like finish.  This results in one of the best looking wooden pens that any consumer could hope to own.

©Paul Witmer 2010

About the Author

Paul Witmer is a pharmaceutical engineering professional and an avid wood worker specializing in fine pens.  Paul is also co-owner of www.WitmerEnterprises.com

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