Cyprus Knees - bark stripping

Anthony Filetti · #1 05-02-2006, 12:51 PM

OK folks hopefully someone can answer this question....

I was just handed a pari of Cyprus knees that appear to be many years old. The bark is still on the knees, what is the best way to strip the bark? Because they are already dry will it make the stripping harder?

Thanks.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #2 05-02-2006, 01:19 PM

boil them.

Doug Ridley · #3 05-02-2006, 02:01 PM

Immerse them and weight them down. Boil for 4 hours. Peel while hot. It will come off easily.
Doug

Anthony Filetti · #4 05-02-2006, 09:53 PM

thanks guys!! I'll give it a shot when the little bride is going to be gone for a while....

Blake Lunsford · #5 05-02-2006, 10:06 PM

Let me know how it works out Tony! I have a few that I got from Florida that have the same problem. I went through the trouble of "carving" the bark off, but it took forever and I don't think it was too good on the blade. I too may try to boil some this weekend.

Let me know!
Blake

Thomp · #6 05-03-2006, 12:18 AM

Boiling cypress knees dose stain the outside of the sapwood a darker tea colored stain, it is more desireable than all the knicks and gouges you get when you peel them dry,
i suggest after the knees are boiled use a plastic picknick knive as it wont mar or mark the knee..

i use to make lamps out of them, by drilling a stem hole through and through then applying the brass hardware with epoxi they will make nice carving stands if you cut them into disks as well..

and some of the finest fishing lures you can get.

Doug Ridley · #7 05-03-2006, 07:50 AM

[quote=
i suggest after the knees are boiled use a plastic picknick knive as it wont mar or mark the knee..

.[/quote]

If you get a good job of boiling them and take them right out of the water and peel them hot you probably won't need anything but your fingers to peel them.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #8 05-03-2006, 10:56 AM

Most of the knees I have gotten are not square cut on the bottom, so I square cut them but cut off about 3/4 of an inch...for those of you with a lathe that make pens.....they make beautiful pens! I figure I am the only one stupid enough to waste my time and try it because the wood is so soft, but they turn out fantastic!

GeorgiaCarver · #9 05-03-2006, 06:00 PM

Check out the knees on my site, they were all done by boiling for 3 hours....

Not trying to sell.... just letting you see some variety.

Greg

Thomp · #10 05-03-2006, 07:44 PM

the price on them cypress knees, isent high but i should kick my own fanny,
6 months ago i needed some carving wood and cut up a 5 foot tall cypress knee into 6" tall sections.. for santas and elves.... i had it around here for 10 years and it was just what i needed at the time.
but i bet i could have got $200.00 out of it.

i have heard you can just soak the cypress knees in a drum for a week or so if you live where you cant build a big fire to boil them, anybody ever hear of that for removing the bark?