The correct answer to Puzzle #4 is:
BLACK WALNUT (where "black" is an adjective -- that was the diabolical part that I referred to in the hints)
The special thing about these blanks is that this is not a natural color for walnut and was achieved by ebonizing. (I accepted any explanation that conveyed that information. A few people did get the correct answers.
Ebonizing wood is a dying technique to turn woods black. Here is the original thread with some discussion on the topic where these particular blanks are shown:
Here is a link to a tutorial in our library with instructions on an ebonizing process:
BLACK WALNUT (where "black" is an adjective -- that was the diabolical part that I referred to in the hints)
The special thing about these blanks is that this is not a natural color for walnut and was achieved by ebonizing. (I accepted any explanation that conveyed that information. A few people did get the correct answers.
Ebonizing wood is a dying technique to turn woods black. Here is the original thread with some discussion on the topic where these particular blanks are shown:
I made it BLACK, at last.
About 18 months to 2 years ago I tried to make some Black wood. I asked you guys and did a lot of reading about "Ebonising" but that seemed to revolve around ebonising after the shape was achieved, or just before the finish was applied. I needed the wood to be totally black all the way through...
www.penturners.org
Here is a link to a tutorial in our library with instructions on an ebonizing process:
Ebonizing Wood
The process involves introducing tannin into the wood to allow the chemical reaction to take place. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF.
www.penturners.org
. This was a good one Edgar, ultimately I was forced to guess, wish I had found the thread!