Exotic Wood Blanks for Heirloom Quality Custom Log Vapes & Vapor Stems
- Thread starter Snappo
- Start date
EveryDayAmnesiac
Well-Known Member
I've got some seriously bad news for y'all - your options just decreased not once, not twice, but thrice:
That one in the middle? Yeah, mine.
Second from the left? Yep. Not going your way. (Somebody beat me to the far left piece.
) Might just have to make an FU post about that in the appropriate thread...
Yeah, and this slice of heaven... no fucking way is it ending up in your hands. Only mine. After @Alan turns it into a Toasty Top or two. If you look closely, you'll see there's actually a Toasty Top shape in its pattern...
Why a Toasty Top? Because their shape is amazing! And they are even more rare than HIs...
I... need to start saving some serious money!
You better rest up before you send me another one of those official "It's my turn" E-mails, Alan. I am going to be putting you through some backbreaking labor here, between the buckeye burl and the afzelia burl...
EDIT: And much thanks to Snappo, who went above and beyond and (somehow) found what I was looking for in a Toasty Top pattern. Took a while to find the right one, yet... it was found months sooner than I expected. Took what, like a day? Despite how picky I was being...
Olive Wood from Bethlehem! Perfect for Wongs & Stems!
That one in the middle? Yeah, mine.
Second from the left? Yep. Not going your way. (Somebody beat me to the far left piece.
) Might just have to make an FU post about that in the appropriate thread...
Yeah, and this slice of heaven... no fucking way is it ending up in your hands. Only mine. After @Alan turns it into a Toasty Top or two. If you look closely, you'll see there's actually a Toasty Top shape in its pattern...
Why a Toasty Top? Because their shape is amazing! And they are even more rare than HIs...
I... need to start saving some serious money!
You better rest up before you send me another one of those official "It's my turn" E-mails, Alan. I am going to be putting you through some backbreaking labor here, between the buckeye burl and the afzelia burl...
EDIT: And much thanks to Snappo, who went above and beyond and (somehow) found what I was looking for in a Toasty Top pattern. Took a while to find the right one, yet... it was found months sooner than I expected. Took what, like a day? Despite how picky I was being...
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I've got some seriously bad news for y'all - your options just decreased not once, not twice, but thrice:
That one in the middle? Yeah, mine.
Second from the left? Yep. Not going your way. (Somebody beat me to the far left piece.
Yeah, and this slice of heaven... no fucking way is it ending up in your hands. Only mine. After @Alan turns it into a Toasty Top or two. If you look closely, you'll see there's actually a Toasty Top shape in its pattern...
Why a Toasty Top? Because their shape is amazing! And they are even more rare than HIs...
I... need to start saving some serious money!
You better rest up before you send me another one of those official "It's my turn" E-mails, Alan. I am going to be putting you through some backbreaking labor here, between the buckeye burl and the afzelia burl...
Awesome! Look forward to seeing the finished items! Keep up the great work @Snappo !
Gray Area
Well-Known Member
Second from the left? Yep. Not going your way. (Somebody beat me to the far left piece.
That would be me... 
Couldn't resist it, sorry
Well, got my nano blank and now stem blank both sitting packed waiting to ship to Andy/Ed. Have to say thanks to @Snappo who answered all of my questions quickly and clearly and helped making my selection painless and easy.
If you're on the fence about grabbing some of these beautiful pieces, go for it! I was really surprised how reasonably priced the wood is (which is why I bought a stem blank too) and for sure it will make my new nano something special and unique.
These just in!!! Stem & Wong blanks!!! Think Ed's Tnt & Alan @ Heat Island HI for your custom stem/wong desires!!!
Heirloom Quality Ultra-Fine Big Leaf Maple Burl -
Heirloom Quality Ultra-Fine Camphor Burl -
Heirloom Quality Rare Ultra-Fine Afzelia Burl -
Heirloom Quality Ultra-Fine Big Leaf Maple Burl -
Heirloom Quality Ultra-Fine Camphor Burl -
Heirloom Quality Rare Ultra-Fine Afzelia Burl -
nopartofme
Over the falls, in a barrel
One day I am going to own a log vape made from camphor wood… I love the look, and the tree has spiritual and medicinal significance.
…But most importantly. Totoro lives in a camphor tree!
…But most importantly. Totoro lives in a camphor tree!
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So true - Beautiful Anime Movie!!!One day I am going to own a log vape made from camphor wood… I love the look, and the tree has spiritual and medicinal significance.
…But most importantly. Totoro lives in a camphor tree!
See full length for free here: http://disney-onlinewatch.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-neighbor-totoro-1988-online-for-free.html
Papa Woody
"The vapor is strong with this one"-Obi Onda Woody
I think I see the face of Burl Ives!
I really like burls that show a lot of faces. When I was getting my HISaber I remember someone had just received their HI that was loaded with faces.
Very Pink Floyd.
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@Snappo Wow my man, you are really putting in some effort sourcing the beauties you are posting! I can only imagine the hoops you are jumping through in order to coordinate the whole process. You are the MAN! I thank you for all the work you are sending my way, it is truly an honor to work with you and also such an honor to be able to craft these amazing blanks into functional stems that allow the user to not only medicate and alleviate but also gaze at the beauty that their piece holds! Its truly a blessing for me from Mother Nature and you for making it all happen, thank you!
Ed! ...if folks only knew what a great honorable business gentleman you really are to work all this out with, they would name a town in your honor - YOU ARE THE MAN!!! And yes, it does take a great deal of time and effort to source out the very best exotic woods available in the world, but I'm a fast learner with over 45 years of business experience behind me - and I know what it takes to get the best things done, no delays, no excuses! The pleasure I have gotten so far with this exotic woods experience has been great - not only derived from my wood sourcing endeavors, but mainly in dealing with you and our FC friends. It is their ultimate satisfaction from good service & product that brings me the greatest pleasure of all! Immeasurable thanks to all of you!!!!!
Well said my man, well said!
You know what I think, I am a far cry from THE MAN, I just show up early and get lucky! The first and hardest step to anywhere is getting off my ass, the rest is forward motion!
Two-Tone Rare Amboyna Burl -
Olive Wood Burl -
Golden Amboyna Burl -
Afzelia Burl -
Big Leaf maple Burl (top middle two are sold) -
More Golden Amboyna Burl (top row/ two middle still available) - Afzelia Burl (bottom three blanks still available) -
Olive Wood Burl -
Golden Amboyna Burl -
Afzelia Burl -
Big Leaf maple Burl (top middle two are sold) -
More Golden Amboyna Burl (top row/ two middle still available) - Afzelia Burl (bottom three blanks still available) -
Vapour Clown
Hey Hey
*Yoink*
Couldn't help myself pulling the trigger. It's gonna make such a nice nano
Some really beautiful pieces here. However none are good enough to make me regret my choice even a little bit I am quickly learning to appreciate the woodworking side of things 
I really want some of that Fine Camphor Burl or Fine Afzelia Burl for a stem! Truly stunning.
My wood block just made it to Alan the other day and I absolutely can not wait to see what he makes from it.
I am quickly learning to appreciate the woodworking side of things I really want some of that Fine Camphor Burl or Fine Afzelia Burl for a stem! Truly stunning.
My wood block just made it to Alan the other day and I absolutely can not wait to see what he makes from it.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
@Snappo and @Ed's TnT -- I have a question for you experts.
When I look at these specimens, is what I see a good indicator of what something will look like when turned, or is what's inside usually different and you don't know what you are getting into? I imagine it is a little of both but have no idea. I want to get an exotic someday, but would like to know how to evaluate which core will appeal to me the most.
Also, I don't know how big these block are. How many logs and stems can you get out of one of these blocks?
Thanks!
When I look at these specimens, is what I see a good indicator of what something will look like when turned, or is what's inside usually different and you don't know what you are getting into? I imagine it is a little of both but have no idea. I want to get an exotic someday, but would like to know how to evaluate which core will appeal to me the most.
Also, I don't know how big these block are. How many logs and stems can you get out of one of these blocks?
Thanks!
Pull the trigger. The golden camphor comes out great under the right lighting; I prefer the taste of glass, but my friends that like blunts STRONGLY prefer this. Basically indestructible with reasonable care though, so it's great travelling.Some really beautiful pieces here. However none are good enough to make me regret my choice even a little bit
I really want some of that Fine Camphor Burl or Fine Afzelia Burl for a stem! Truly stunning.
My wood block just made it to Alan the other day and I absolutely can not wait to see what he makes from it.
Pull the trigger. The golden camphor comes out great under the right lighting; I prefer the taste of glass, but my friends that like blunts STRONGLY prefer this. Basically indestructible with reasonable care though, so it's great travelling.
ho
leeee
shit
okay.
@stickstones Hmmm that is a good question, what you see on the outside will give you a good idea of what is inside. A look at the ends is another way to tell how the grain is laying, I look at all sided before I ever start to turn. Keep in mind that burl is an abnormal growth and that anything is possible when dealing with it. @Snappo it's gonna be more work but for some of the pieces like the above Amboyna might be a good idea to show end shots also.
I hope I been helpful!
I hope I been helpful!
@stickstones! Nice to see you here! The answers to your questions are as follows: When I take pictures of the exotic wood blanks, I wet them with a moist cloth in order to deepen the tones to the point that what you see is what you'll get in the finished piece. This method very accurately emulates an oil finish, but without gunking up the wood prior to turning it, which would be undesirable to the craftsman, I would think. Wetting is a standard industry procedure used to exhibit. Now, wood tone, of course, can vary to a small degree because when photographed outside in natural sunlight, the angle of the sun can differ or atmospheric conditions will vary e.g., overcast, etc. Also, any electronic camera will automatically adjust for white balance given the varying light conditions reflected off of the subject. White balance accuracy differs from camera-to-camera. Indoor flash pictures can also be taken, but care must be given to represent accurate color when doing so. I believe my pictures represent a very close approximation of what the finished wood will look like under good light.
Regarding the features present given the particular species of woods: The E-Nano/HI/and Underdog require a wood blank that is at least 4-1/2" x 2-1/4" square from which to turn the final log vape product. Blanks this specific size will usually just render one log vape, without enough surplus to add an accessory stem. To some degree, as wood is being lathed away, the features that are seen on the surface morph gradually as wood beneath is exposed, but not usually to a significant extent from the original features. Swirls & burls for example can change to some degree in size, shape, character, and tone, but they will usually be there in the end result, similar but somewhat morphed. One example of a change that can occur can be found as a surprise emergence during the turning (lathe) process - what is called a "check" or a "void". These are highly sought after because they can give a very unique one-of-a-kind birthmark like feature, but there is no guarantee that one will be uncovered during the lathing/turning process. Please see pictures below of the new pieces that came in today - they are Ultra-fine rare examples of Golden White Teak Burl: notice that two of them have the highly prized "Check" birthmarks on their surface! On these two pieces it is apparent on their surface, and you can ask the craftsman to preserve as much of these features as is possible for show on the final piece. Stem blanks that Ed and Alan/HI custom make follow the same rules as described in the above explanation. Raw stem blanks should be either 3/4" sq. x 5" for the 14mm stems/Wongs, or 7/8" sq. x 5" for the 18mm stems/Wongs. I hope my explanation helps your understanding of the almost magical process of uncovering the magnificent beauty of these exotic woods, and welcome any further inquiry or needed clarification/s! New pics below:
Rare Heirloom Quality Ultra-Fine Golden Teak Burl -
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stickstones
Vapor concierge
Great explanations guys... thanks!
@Snappo - Thanks for the kind words and thanks for providing a place for people to obtain some very fine specimens of wood. I am enjoying the opportunities for turning different wood types.
A couple of clarifications on the size of the blanks for HI and roasting tubes. I can use wood that is as small as 1-1/2" square for the HI. I use 3/4" square blanks for 18mm WonG tubes and 5/8" square blanks for 14mm WonG tubes. I can generally get a 14mm WonG tube in addition to a HI from a 2" or larger square piece of wood. It is interesting when you discover a void or cavity inside of the wood. Burls will sometimes have partially formed branches in them. The branch piece can separate from the wood and then go flying as you turn it on the lathe. It does leave a unique mark in the wood that looks very interesting. The cavities aren't so nice for the roasting tubes though.
A couple of clarifications on the size of the blanks for HI and roasting tubes. I can use wood that is as small as 1-1/2" square for the HI. I use 3/4" square blanks for 18mm WonG tubes and 5/8" square blanks for 14mm WonG tubes. I can generally get a 14mm WonG tube in addition to a HI from a 2" or larger square piece of wood. It is interesting when you discover a void or cavity inside of the wood. Burls will sometimes have partially formed branches in them. The branch piece can separate from the wood and then go flying as you turn it on the lathe. It does leave a unique mark in the wood that looks very interesting. The cavities aren't so nice for the roasting tubes though.