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Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hi all,

A local store is selling Mopani wood which has been cleaned etc. It would look OK if cast in a hybrid pen blank. I was wondering if anyone has made any pen blanks out of this root or cast it in some resin.

Cheers
Frederick
 

pittswood

Fellow
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1,249
Location
Rhigos, South Wales
First Name
Kelvin
Hi Frederick,
Mopane is a lovely wood on its own to turn. Polishes very well. This was done some three years ago and still going strong.

Empress Fountain Pen in Mopane Wood cap off .jpg

Regards,
Kelvin
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Thanks Kevin et al,

Just what I wanted to know. This wood is being sold as decoration in fish tanks and general aquaria, but I think I may be able to do something
different with it.

Cheers,
Frederick
 

Skil Phil

Full Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Posts
226
Location
South Africa
Mopani is a lovely wood to work with. Hard but polishes up nicely.
The tree is also a host to the mopani worm (emperora moth).
mopane_worm.jpg
These are a high source of protein and used in stews or eaten raw.
When on border duty the locals would come by with a wheelbarrow full of dried worms.
In those days a handful would cost if I remember 10c. Crispy on the outside and a bit chewy inside.
Alternative to biltong or potato crisps when neither is available in the bush.
After a long patrol went down well with a beer.
Cheers
 

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
Mopani is a lovely wood to work with. Hard but polishes up nicely.
The tree is also a host to the mopani worm (emperora moth).
View attachment 40798
These are a high source of protein and used in stews or eaten raw.
When on border duty the locals would come by with a wheelbarrow full of dried worms.
In those days a handful would cost if I remember 10c. Crispy on the outside and a bit chewy inside.
Alternative to biltong or potato crisps when neither is available in the bush.
After a long patrol went down well with a beer.
Cheers

Fist thought was yuck, but then I have eaten witchetty grubs quite tasty.
So would give them ago.

Witchetty grub - Wikipedia
 
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