Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 03, 2005 09:37pm | #1

   I have NO idea.. But I found this

   Pheasant Wood or Golden Shower Tree (Kolohala)

   Link:: http://www.hawaiiwoodturning.com/trees.html

   Looks like a trip to Hawaii to get some.. Have fun!

   EDIT:: I have seen Wenge with a 'sort' of feather looking grain...

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/3/2005 1:40 pm by WillGeorge

2. 
   douglas2cats | Dec 03, 2005 09:53pm | #2

   Maybe some myrtle? The kind with the  black streaks running through it? There's usually some up for bid on eBay where you could check out some pics. My other thought was maple with a very heavy tiger stripe.

   If you build it he will come.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 03, 2005 10:24pm | #3

   Sort of ..http://www.blueheronwoods.com/pictures/WoodSampleOvals/Myrtle%20btr.jpg

1. 
   douglas2cats | Dec 04, 2005 12:15am | #4

   I think anything 'feather-like' is going to depend highly on the specific board regardless of the type of wood used. I looked on eBay and the only one remotely like some of the black streaked myrtle pieces I've seen and was thinking of is this:

   http://cgi.ebay.com/WOOD-FIGURED-OREGON-MYRTLE-LUMBER_W0QQitemZ8236783022QQcategoryZ84011QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

   It's the only thing I can think of that's a lighter colored wood with darker stripes in it. This one isn't the best example. I've seen ones with a much more quarter sawn figure with straighter and finer streaks.If you build it he will come.

1. 
   desertmaster | Dec 08, 2005 08:11am | #8

   Thanks to all those who replied.  The suggestions of myrtlewood reminded me that I have some scraps from a batch of myrtle I brought back from Oreg. a few years ago.  My small assortment doesn't have the stripes I mentioned, but it is great wood for carving the quill lines in to make it appear "feathery" and shows the crisp detail well.  Also will contrast nicely with the figured maple arrow shaft.  I intend to use it until I come across something better.  Thanks much to all.    Gary 

3. 
   notDusty | Dec 04, 2005 02:22am | #5

      Gary ,

                    Look at Elm and possibly Ash maybe even look at Hickory .

                              Maybe you could paint on some dye or color

                                               dusty

4. 
   Patto | Dec 05, 2005 05:24am | #6

   This might be way off, but what about some 1/4sawn end grain of almost anything like oak. I would have no structural strength but would have the coulour.

   Dave

5. 
   papanick | Dec 05, 2005 11:21pm | #7

   Don't know about feathers, but there's always FIR!

    

    

   sorry, it's been nagging me for days to post this....

   The older I get, the better I was....

6. 
   Pondfish | Dec 10, 2005 05:58pm | #9

   Doug fir has nice straight grain that could be aligned to look like feathers.

   Another option doesn't look like a single feather, but has a nice texture to the grain that might be good--try leopardwood.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
7. 
   jerry | Dec 14, 2005 08:23pm | #10

   try bocote - i've used it for feathers on some bird marquetry projects.

   jerry

8. 
   Steinmetz | Dec 21, 2005 05:27am | #11

   JUST a guess...Birds eye Maple???
   Stein.

1. 
   desertmaster | Dec 22, 2005 08:23am | #12

   Stein,

      Thanks for the suggestion of b.e. maple, but that is the wood I used for the arrow shaft, and I wanted a wood for the feathers that would contrast with the shaft. I just finisheed the prototype plack last week; I used birds eye maple for the shaft, cocobolo for the arrowhead and butternut for the feathers. The butternut had a streak of sapwood running along one edge, giving a  multicolor look for the feather, which is what I wanted. Also the butternut is easy to shape by hand and to carve the fine parallel lines into, to simulate the "feather" texture.  It turned out good and I will show it to the prospective buyer after first of year, hope to get some orders.   Thanks to all the suggestions.     Gary

1. 
   Danceswithwoods | Jan 04, 2006 10:49am | #13

   Gary,

            Look at some of your lumber suppliers for willow.  My local here in Bakersfield, Ca. sells it. It's gray, brown. and light creamy in areas, but the gray you're looking for is there.  Hope this helps...Tim

1. 
   desertmaster | Jan 06, 2006 08:16am | #14

   Tim,

      By gosh you're right.  I never thought of willow. I don't even have to shop for it, I still have some from a neighbor's tree that he cut down some time ago.   I got some to turn for bowls, and they are streaked with creamy tan, brown and mineral streaks of blk and grey. Thanks for the reminder.    Gary

2. 
   patternmake | Jan 07, 2006 03:03am | #15

   how about australian lacewood

                                            andy.