“B.O.B.Y.B.: Bog Oak Birth Year Brush”

Blademonkey said:
How much does a piece of bog oak like that cost? I would love something that old made into a brush handle, the age of it is mind blowing! :)
Click to expand...

This thing is, Blademonkey; it's not only the cost (which was around £30 if I recall), but finding some available.

When a farmer is plowing and turns up a Bog Oak tree, it's common knowledge in those areas that have Peat Bogs that it's worth a lot of money.

They call in the experts to excavate it and dry it out quickly (a factory operation -- not small scale) so it doesn't rot. Much of it is then purchased to make furniture, flooring, and so on, so very little is left in small pieces that could be used for brushes. Rowlers and his Dad spent a lot of time searching for it.
 
cmbcne said:
This thing is, Blademonkey; it's not only the cost (which was around £30 if I recall), but finding some available.

When a farmer is plowing and turns up a Bog Oak tree, it's common knowledge in those areas that have Peat Bogs that it's worth a lot of money.

They call in the experts to excavate it and dry it out quickly (a factory operation -- not small scale) so it doesn't rot. Much of it is then purchased to make furniture, flooring, and so on, so very little is left in small pieces that could be used for brushes. Rowlers and his Dad spent a lot of time searching for it.
Click to expand...
Oh well, I would probably end up with some oak bog seat knowing my luck!
 
TA-DA!!!! (cymbals clash, drums roll, trumpets blare ...)

You've all been waiting for a look at what the inside of Bog Oak looks like. Well here it is.

Rowlers Dad just turned the handle. It still has to be tweaked, sealed, and polished; but this gives you an idea of the finished product. Lovely deep colour, isn't it?

Bog Oak 1st pass.jpg


I shall be away for the first two weeks of October so there will be no more updates from me after the end of this week until the middle of next month. Please be patient.
 
Rufus said:
Very nice indeed. This is very much to my liking and certainly a huge step up from some of the highly coloured resin handles that are in vogue to-day. This handle is timeless.
Click to expand...

"Timeless" is the perfect way to describe what I was after when we started this. I'm an "old fogey", so "old" was an operative word; reflected in the ancient Bog Oak, the old-time design, and the 1943 coins.

I have nothing against colourful resin handles, but there was method to my apparent madness with this particular brush.
 
Hi again, everyone.

Rowlers Dad has been busy. He's turned a similarly shaped brush to trial-set the coins to see what they look like. Here's the results:

First, a close-up of the Florin – nice and shiny:

IMG-20170928-WA0000.jpg

2nd, the knot has arrived:

IMG-20170929-WA0003.jpg

3rd a mock-up of the brush in the handle:

IMG_20170929_130714.jpg

4th, a different shot of the Florin in the base:

IMG-20170929-WA0009.jpg

5th, the Sixpence in the knot hole and the Florin beside it:

IMG-20170929-WA0010.jpg

6th, one more shot of the Florin in place:

IMG-20170929-WA0011.jpg

I have asked Rowlers to get us the actual dimensions of my brush and I'll post it when I get it (which may be after my absence October 2nd to 14th).
 
Wayne Pritchard said:
I am lost for words.
What an amazing concept and a brush that I am sure will be treasured. :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely, Wayne. At my age one tends to get sentimental over seemingly trivial things. I left England in 1951 (I think -- I was less than eight years old) and I've only been back once (2003), but I'm still proud of that heritage and this project is getting my juices flowing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom