Processes
Ebonising
This technique was first documented in the 16th Century and was used extensively by the Victorians to imitate Ebony wood.
It's a chemical reaction between iron acetate and naturally occurring tannins. Wood species such as Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Chestnut and Sapele all have a high level of tannins and hence will ebonise. Other woods don't really ebonise at all unless you artificially treat them beforehand.
This technique is a permanent reaction that penetrates deep within the wood and the grain structure is preserved. I can choose what I ebonise and what I leave natural in the knowledge that the grain will always be visible (unlike using an ebonising lacquer that obscures the grain).
While I love the natural colours and beauty of the wood species I work with, this technique offers contrast while working with its natural properties.
Lime Waxing
As the grain structure is preserved using this ebonising technique I'm able, if I wish, to use a lime wax polish in open grained wood species such as Oak and Chestnut. The outcome is quite stunning.
A fresh batch of my ebonising solution is a mixture of clear vinegar, steel wool, screws, nails and blades.
I leave it for a few weeks before I use it. At the end of the video there's a jar of old ebonising solution sitting next to the newly prepared one.
This video shows the ebonising and lime waxing process of a 4" x 2" flared Oak bowl