Osage Orange Finish

[Bluey999]

Can anybody advise me which finish will stop osage orange turning brown. I believe it browns off due to UV radiation so I am guessing I will need a finish which blocks UV but I don't know which one will do the job

[ubeaut]

Worked for years with Osage and sold a lot of it and to my knowledge there is no way to stop it darkening. I have even tried UV stabilised finishes and they will at best slow the process but not by much.

It isn't just the UV that darkens the timber. I'm pretty sure it is also oxidisation from air, non UV light and just being Osage. Having said that some of the most brilliant and beautiful pieces of timber I have seen have been Osage orange brown. Just don't try to use Osage stringing on the lid of a Blackwood box. I've seen it done and it looked brilliant. I didn't have the heart to tell the maker that they would both look the same in a couple of years.

When it darkens the Osage will still still pop as it id does when new and bright yellow. It will have the same sort of flash and depth as a brilliant opal.

I realise this probably isn't what you really want to hear, but I hope it is of some help.

Cheers - Neil

[Bluey999]

Thanks Neil,

You are right, That's not what I wanted to hear )
I have a pile of Osage orange that was unfortunately cut up for fire wood before I heard about it.
There are lots of pieces good for pen blanks etc.. and some larger pieces useful for small bowls.
I guess I will learn to love the brown timber too )

Cheers, Les

[ubeaut]

It's beautiful even when it's brown and even better still if it has a bit of fiddleback, quilting, flame or other wild grain in it.

Finish it on the lathe with Shellawax, or Glow , or Aussie Oil and it will just about knock your eyes out.

I have used it in demo's for some 20 odd years and still amazed every time at how brilliant it comes up.

One piece I did around 21 years ago (polished with Shellawax) has been handled by thousands of people in demo's, has changed to a deep honey colour. It has never been touched since it was originally turned and finisher (in a very quick demo) and is used to hit other pieces of timber during demonstrations to show how tough the finish is.

Hang on to the shavings etc that come off when you turn it. Spinners love it for dying their wool. If you put it into soapy water it will dye wool a light khaki colour. You may notice the dust will stain your hands a brown colour (especially if you're a bit sweaty) this is a reaction with the tannin and when washed off it will go a bright green colour.

I love Osage. I still have a couple of big bowl blanks and a other big chunks I'll get around to using some day.

Cheers - Neil