Shou Sugi Ban - Smokin' Hot Finish

[moon]

Found this in my twitter feed today: some examples of Shou Sugi Ban, the art of using fire to create a wood finish. That's a new one for me and sounds like a fascinating (and possibly expensive..) thing to explore so I thought I'd share.

[Ned Milburn]

It was used in Japan to make wood more resistant to the elements. I believe I saw a documentary stating the Vikings used the same technique. The technique has been used in barrels for some time now it seems.

Might be nice to make a backyard fence that way and compare its last to pressure treated wood. I'm guessing pressure treated might win, but it is **** poisonous.

[printer2]

Torrified goodness.

[Frank Ford]

I'm privileged to work alongside Michi Matsuda, who has experimented with scorching the tops of guitars with gunpowder.

Here he talks a bit about it in a YouTube video as he shows one of his amazing instruments. At about 1:30 he demonstrates the process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jfi0sOawT0

[moon]

That was fascinating - thanks

And what a gorgeous headstock. I love the way the shape shows new facets from different angles. He's a talented designer.

I'd be scared to tap though...