Staining with ironchloride - pic heavy!!!

[simson]

I always work on many bows simultaneously. Lately tried one and the same stain on different wood species. You see the colors are quite different belonging to the species. I suppose it has to do with the different tan acids in the bow and the different amount of acids.
Don't ask for the recipe, I have mixed a big can of that stuff about 20 years ago. I have so much it will last into the next generation, haha.

Well here are some pics, always one in shadow followed by one in sunlight.
I have sorted the pics in that row they are leaning on the wall.

The species are (from left):
- cornelian cherry (cornus mas)
- mulberry (morus alba)
- norway maple (acer platanoides)
- wild plum (prunus )
- sloe (prunus spinosa)
- walnut (juglans regia)
- hazel (corylus)
- serviceberry (amelanchier)
- dogwood (cornus sanguinea), little cambium
- dogwood (cornus sanguinea), more cambium
- black locust (robinia pseudoaccacia)
- elderberry (sambucus niger)
- elm (ulmus glabra)











cornealian cherry





mulberry





norway maple





wild plum, dunno know exact species – there are many diff around me





sloe





walnut





hazel





seviceberry





dogwood





dogwood




black locust





elderberry




elm

[Pat B]

Very cool, Simon. The variation of color depending on the wood is incredible.   Also, I love that elm stave. Gonna make a cool bow.

[bushboy]

Very neat!I love the dark dogwood one!

[bjrogg]

That's a cool collection of different wood types Simson. I'm with Pat. Love that Elm.
Bjrogg

[Morgan]

Awesome results simson! Would you share what the strength is of the iron chloride you use?

[Rākau]

Thanks for the pics Simon, amazing the variability of how the stain affects different woods.
I know with our local woods that some don't change colour at all while the kanuka I have been making bows from goes near black! Like you say it indicates the levels of tannic acid in the wood, it definitly can throw some suprises at you

[simson]

Pat,
that short elm comes from a pile I have harvested years ago in spring. This makes the furrows on the back = early wood.
The stuff from this pile was standing in a thicket, so most of these staves have these nice pin knots. They are very pikey.

Bushy,
yeah I like also that black camo

brjogg,
lately I sorted out my stave pile and counted the different wood types I have, well stopped by 40. I'm sure I have some more.

Morgan,
As said I have made this mixture years ago, so can't remember exactly. But I know I have bought iron (III) chloride in a box (maybe 750 gramm) and added some iron filing and water (maybe 20 liter).


NZnuka,
this woods here  are so called white woods (despite mulberry and black locust). They are mostly a bit boring in color, this is the reason why I search for methods to get them more interesting.
And, I simply like to do experiments

[Parnell]

Its fun to look at the variety of woods, Simon.  The elm stave looks cool but I like that hazel for color and texture.  Cool post.

[simk]

That's great stuff Herr Nachbar. I see many nice bows to come. Seems like I will have to get ironchloride some time then...Cheers

[leonwood]

Really nice colors Simon. I did some tests with mulberry and black locust last year and they came out really nice. Tried it on hazel as well but yours looks way better! Working on some Elderberry bows now so will try some on those too!

[Hans H]

Great thats you Show us all thus, Sour ideas wäre a Class of their own
Thank you
Hans