This is our first experience with Osage Orange as a body wood, and so far it seems promising. One thing for sure, the sawyer (Zeb Turrentine) really knew how to cut the log. Just look at those medullary rays! As another plus, Zeb was accommodating to our likes and dislikes. We swapped out some sides for the ones pictured here and in the process picked up another fine set for some future use. (Anyone interested?)
So here is the set before we started work. This was pre-sanding, so a bit of the dullness is oxidation. The other part is what Ryan mentioned, the camera just doesn't believe what it's seeing.
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But compare that to the sides on the bending form and you can see how surprised we are every time we step into the shop! This 'ol Bodark tree from Tennessee was amazing.
Steve