Ingrown Maple and Walnut Box

Ingrown maple and walnut box.

Ingrown maple and walnut box inside.

This simple small box is made with maple and walnut.  The maple is special.  Maple is found in nature with a variety of appearances.  Most common is plain maple from most maple trees.  Some maple is “figured,” meaning it has unique grain (or figure.)  A small percentage of maple is found to be curly, like fiddleback or tiger maple.  And is hence more expensive since there is less of it.  An even smaller percentage is birdseye maple, and the price goes up more.  Both are highly prized.

A smaller percentage yet is “ingrown” maple which has bark inclusions throughout the wood.  The amount of ingrown maple wood is so small that apparently, not enough is available for commercial use.  It makes for very unique boxes.

The box measures 4″ x 6″ x 2.5″ high.  The top is maple, and the sides contain strips of ingrown maple and walnut.  The bottom is walnut.  The top is rounded to the edge, maximizing the ingrown wood showing.  This box features 5mm. brass barrel hinges and a finger lift.  The finish is two coats of pre-catalyzed lacquer which has been hand rubbed.  All of the maples feel smooth when polished this way.

~ by Allan Longroy on January 30, 2014.