HarveyWildes
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2016
- Messages
- 984
I was turning a small piece of lignum vitae a couple of weeks ago, and found that it really smells good. I have a small piece at work that I occasionally scrape a bit just for the smell.
Other woods that I think smell really good when cut include Port Orford cedar and imbuiya (in small doses).
Aromatic cedars and junipers are also nice, but are quite commen.
I've never had the opportunity to cut sandalwood or camphor.
It seems that woods with distinctive odors are that way because of the oils in the wood, and that means that they tend to be allergens and irritants as well. Also, several of the woods on the list are on at least one non-sustainable list, including lignum vitae, Port Orford cedar, and several species of sandalwood.
On the bad side, last year I cut down a Siberian Elm (which everyone around here wishes was non-sustainable) with just a hint of a musty pile of wet carpet from a room where cats had lived without enough training. It's still drying, so I haven't been able to cut it dry yet.
What woods do you like to cut because they smell good?
Any that you think smell particularly bad?
Any unusual local woods that the rest of us would have trouble getting?
What woods maintain their scent over time in a way that enhances pieces that use them? Aromatic cedar is an obvious example.
Other woods that I think smell really good when cut include Port Orford cedar and imbuiya (in small doses).
Aromatic cedars and junipers are also nice, but are quite commen.
I've never had the opportunity to cut sandalwood or camphor.
It seems that woods with distinctive odors are that way because of the oils in the wood, and that means that they tend to be allergens and irritants as well. Also, several of the woods on the list are on at least one non-sustainable list, including lignum vitae, Port Orford cedar, and several species of sandalwood.
On the bad side, last year I cut down a Siberian Elm (which everyone around here wishes was non-sustainable) with just a hint of a musty pile of wet carpet from a room where cats had lived without enough training. It's still drying, so I haven't been able to cut it dry yet.
What woods do you like to cut because they smell good?
Any that you think smell particularly bad?
Any unusual local woods that the rest of us would have trouble getting?
What woods maintain their scent over time in a way that enhances pieces that use them? Aromatic cedar is an obvious example.
