Where can you get whole briar burls (or really big pieces)?

[Literaryworkshop]

I showed a couple of my pipes to an acquaintance a while back, and he asked where he could find wood like that. He doesn't want it for pipes--he makes custom hand saws, and he wants to try making saw handles out of it. Problem is, he needs pieces that are a good 5" wide, 1" thick, and about 6" long, much bigger than your average briar block. Price isn't a concern for him, as he can pass the extra cost on to the customer.

Here's some of his work: http://www.blackburntools.com/new-tools ... index.html

The man has mad skills, and I'd love to see him make a briar burl saw handle. I'm thinking he either needs a whole burl, or he needs to find someone who would be willing to cut up a burl to his specs.

Any sources?

[Alden]

You could try these guys http://www.righteouswoods.net/briar_burl.html

[wisemanpipes]

Yeah! but, usually whole burls are riddled with pits, fissures and other nasties. I have a local exotic wood shop near me that sells full burls of about 5-10lbs. if you were really interested I could let the one I own go (its 6.5lbs). its just a paper weight and a conversation piece.

other than that, cutters do actually have blocks that big. itll run you 40-125 depending on if its plateaux or eb.

check jhlowe or ask if vtfreehand has any large blocks if that's the route you want to go.

[Sasquatch]

I've had pieces near as big as a loaf of bread from Makis.

[wisemanpipes]

I've had pieces near as big as a loaf of bread from Makis.

what did you make out of them? 12inch lovats

[Sasquatch]

Sliced 'em for for toast of course.

[Alden]

Sliced 'em for toast of course.

Somewhere in the world, some guy with thick coke rim glasses in a blue suit and a bowtie with polka dots on it just played a rimshot. He does it every time you read a Todd Bannard joke.
He doesn't even know why he does it, just knows that its his calling.

[scotties22]

Sliced 'em for toast of course.

Somewhere in the world, some guy with thick coke rim glasses in a blue suit and a bowtie with polka dots on it just played a rimshot. He does it every time you read a Todd Bannard joke.
He doesn't even know why he does it, just knows that its his calling.

We all know that you are talking about yourself here . Coincidentally, if you come to the KC show I would love to see the polka dot suit.

[Alden]

Sliced 'em for toast of course.

Somewhere in the world, some guy with thick coke rim glasses in a blue suit and a bowtie with polka dots on it just played a rimshot. He does it every time you read a Todd Bannard joke.
He doesn't even know why he does it, just knows that its his calling.

We all know that you are talking about yourself here . Coincidentally, if you come to the KC show I would love to see the polka dot suit.

The suit isn't polka dotted. Its a baby blue tux with black trim. The tie is black with baby blue polka dots... I assume.

[Sasquatch]

[Alden]

badumb bum - ching!

[Literaryworkshop]

Thanks, folks. I'll pass on the info.

[Vermont Freehand]

I have various 1"-2" thick slabs that meet or exceed the dimensions he needs. I'd also be willing to trade wood for a saw. Give him my info, stevenorse@gmail.com