[MDWine]

I went to Colonial Hardwoods (Springfield, VA.) on Saturday, and picked up a fiew pieces of wood. I got a very nice hunk of Basswood, some really pretty Zircote for some lathe work, and a stick of "Obichi" ??? I don't know how it is spelled, and I can't find it it on the web as "Obechi" either. I believe they also called it "white mahogony".

The seller said it smelled like a wet monkey when you cut it. He said it is very good for carving, so at 3 bucks for the piece, I took it home!

I don't have any frame of reference (thank goodness), but it has a very peculiar odor. Since this stick was very close to the rought dimensions for my FIRST CARVING, I cut it to length, and copied my pattern.

I'm doing fairly well, and will post pics some time soon. The wood cuts very cleanly, and so far so good.

I just wanted more information about this wood... ever heard of it?

[AlArchie]

Does a wet monkey smell anything like a wet dog??

Al

[Just Carving]

Obeche AKA white mahogany

http://128.104.77.230/TechSheets/Chu...tonscleroxylon

http://www.hoganhardwoods.com/hogan/.../lumber_11.htm

[MDWine]

Excellent! Thanks!

[wade clark]

Michael,
WOOD IDENTIFICATION &USE by Terry Potter, says:
"West Africa, up to 180' x 5', Creamy white to pale yellow, texture can be course to moderately fine and even, with a natural sheen. Vulnerable to termites and fungi...powder post beetle....Uses: furniture, cabinet framing, model making, marquetry, interior trim, office furniture....also used for particleboard, blockboard, plywood corestock and figured veneer.
Wade

[Kenny_S]

just what we need, Furniture with termites!!!!!!

I am a thinking, I don't need anything smelling like a wet monkey. have a friend who has a small one and he smells dry! OR, maybe it is the friend.

[Mitchell]

Nice find on the reference material Bob.

Suppose the resultant carving would be best viewed at a distance......phew!


Actually, I have worked with some woods that had an odor - especially when wet, but were fine after drying and finishing applied.

[MDWine]

You can detect an oder if you concentrate and hold the piece right on the tip of your nose, otherwise it is fine.

It carves very nicely, and the cuts are smooth as glass. I imagine it is much like the sugar pine I carved back about 15 years ago!

So far, my first Santa is progressing slowly. (I have to concentrate on cleaner transitions!)

First pictures soon...

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

That should be an interesting wood to try......haven't had a smelly monkey for a loooong time LOL.. the name is what the local natives say "Yu find da smelly wood, now stop yu bichi"!

[MDWine]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

...local natives say "Yu find da smelly wood, now stop yu bichi"!

How does one groan on a forum?
I wondered where the name came from, now I know!
You can learn so much on the web, huh?