[northern willow]

Hi there everyone i just finished a bunch of diamond willow sticks i picked last month. If you are interested in seeing some of my work or finding out where to Harvest diamond willow go ahead and send me an email @ NelsBike111@aol.com

C,ya
Nels

[DiamondWillow]

Nels

Yes, let us see the sticks, DW is always good to look at.

Gene

[northern willow]

Originally Posted by DiamondWillow

Nels

Yes, let us see the sticks, DW is always good to look at.

Gene

As soon as i can upload my photos i will share them on the site.

[xsailer]

While you're at it would you mind tell us how you remove the bark and do you let the wood dry for some time?

Thanks

[Ron T]

I thought I was about to score some DW. My wife was going to Vancouver, B.C. to visit her Aunt and while there, she was going to stop by our friend's place on Victoria Island. He always has some DW on hand (he taught me how to carve DW) and she would have brought some back.

Ah, but the wheels of justice turn. She just called in for jury duty and was selected for the pool in a lengthy criminal case. If she gets selected for the jury, it'll be a couple of months.

So much for dreams of Diamond Willow, one of my favorite woods.

[northern willow]

Originally Posted by xsailer

While you're at it would you mind tell us how you remove the bark and do you let the wood dry for some time?

Thanks

Usually if i am cutting for my diamond wllow buisness i strip bark within a couple of days of cutting. If you strip right after cutting it peels much like fresh poplar.(from one end to another) If this is not possible to do or you are stripping dead Diamond willow i have put together a pressure steamer out of a used water heater.The pressure steamer cleans out all diamonds and compleatly strips the wood to a perfect shine.(sanding is still needed). If you dont want to go to these extents simply soaking the cut diamond willlow in a tank or lake will do the job. after soaking for a couple of days use a preassure washer to spray the soggy bark out. (DO NOT OVER SOAK,WILL EFFECT THE STAIGHTNESS OF THE WOOD as well as the drying time)

As for drying, if you peel directly after cutting it generally takes 2 weeks to a mounth depending on the weather (Temp, Humidity, Ect....) If you are using any of the water methods above, drying takes a bit longer. If you are in a hurry i have also baked the moisture out using a smoker.( HOT PLATE ONLY!! NO CHIPS!!!) Advisory::: MUST REGULATE HEAT TO PREVENT FIRE!!! (learned the hard way.) HAHA

If you have any more questions i will be willing to answer any i recieve Using my five years of crafting, carving, and selling of diamond willow.

Thanks for the great question!!,

Nels @ Willow Works

Nelsbike111@aol.com

[northern willow]

Originally Posted by Ron T

I thought I was about to score some DW. My wife was going to Vancouver, B.C. to visit her Aunt and while there, she was going to stop by our friend's place on Victoria Island. He always has some DW on hand (he taught me how to carve DW) and she would have brought some back.

Ah, but the wheels of justice turn. She just called in for jury duty and was selected for the pool in a lengthy criminal case. If she gets selected for the jury, it'll be a couple of months.

So much for dreams of Diamond Willow, one of my favorite woods.

If you are looking for Some Diamond willow to work with before that darn jury duty is over. feel free to get ahold of me via Email at nelsbike111@aol.com

Thanks,

Nels @ Willow Works

[xsailer]

Northern Willow,
Thank you very much for the info. I bought a DW stick last January. I tried using alcohol and water mixture but it did not work. Must be a dry stick which means more work apparently. It seems I do nothing easy.

I appreciate your helpful comments

[northern willow]

Originally Posted by xsailer

Northern Willow,
Thank you very much for the info. I bought a DW stick last January. I tried using alcohol and water mixture but it did not work. Must be a dry stick which means more work apparently. It seems I do nothing easy.

I appreciate your helpful comments

If you are interested in getting any fresh product i will be having a few auctions on Ebay starting Monday August 18th through Fri august 25. Keep an eye out for lots from BAUDETTE MN.(Also picture backgrounds will be BROWN or RED) I Am getting rid of some of my peeled stock before i go out and get my winter stock.(Start with a clean slaight for the winter projects to come. Starting Oct. 3rd im starting a 54 step two sided stairwell for a locall costomer. Im going to need close to 400 pieces of 3" Diamond Willow peeled and ready for clear coat by then. WOW----panic!!!

[Rogheff]

Originally Posted by xsailer

While you're at it would you mind tell us how you remove the bark and do you let the wood dry for some time?

Thanks

When you strip the bark when the stick is green, you can pretty much count on the stick cracking. I let mine dry for 6 months to a year. Interestingly the longer you wait, the harder it is to get the bark off.

I use a great tool for stripping the bark that I got at a farm store. It's a tool for cleaning out horse hoofs. It has just the right curve in the blade.

I prefer to keep the little raised flanges on the wood. Sanding will remove . The only way to keep the flanges it to use extreme caution (and time)

The preasure washer idea is interestign. I'll have to try that one.