[alador]

I have always removed the bark from Maple sticks because of the dull grey appearance but since I had several I decided to experiment with them. The thing I discovered
and which probably most of you already know, was to rub the dull surface with steel wool just enough to expose the reddish brown surface. The pics show first the
raw bark,next the raw bark with Danish Oil, then the bark after cleaning with steel wool, and then the cleaned bark with Danish Oil finish, then finally another stick
that had been cleaned and coated with a single coat of Danish Oil. I hope this is of interest to some. I did not attempt to sand off the little nubs and bumps that maple
Bark usually has as I find them interesting rather than objectionable. But then I like weird!

 

[CV3]

It finished out nicely. I have some maple staffs. I will have to finish one out with the bark.

 

[Rodney]

I like the color once the oil is applied. I have a couple maple shanks drying that I might give a try with the bark on.

Thanks for showing us.

Eodney

 

[gdenby]

Nice demonstration. I suppose it will take a couple of years to see how the color holds up. Plant based colors are quite fugitive. 2 primary things cause them to dull/fade, which are oxygen and UV. Perhaps adding a coat of spar varnish would boost the UV resistance.

I've done something somewhat similar w. sassafras. The outer bark layers tend to be rather thick, with the cambium (i think it is) often being sort of cork like, and orange. I did one last summer, I'll have to dig around and see how the color has held up.