RS-0705: Down-locking, slide-band, Reel seat turned of burly plum wood, rich with reds and yellows. This piece has been impregnated with a polymer. The inlays are of Fossil Walrus Ivory and gem grade Variscite. Metal parts are hand fabricated of Nickel alloy ("Nickel Silver") and 18k Yellow Gold. The rivets have 22K gold heads bonded to Nickel Alloy. The butt cap and the transition ring are turned from the Desert Ironwood root that my grandfather brought in off the Arizona desert at least a century ago. Notice the Fossil Walrus Ivory side inlay--it is taken from a lengthwise slice down the side of the tusk so that the color layers show up along the top and bottom. These lovely tan edges will serve as a distinctive frame for whatever one might want to have scrimmed there. These slices are difficult to obtain and my supply of them is limited. The deep green, almost-translucent, gem-grade variscite in this piece is very difficult to obtain. Again, my supply is limited.
OD: .680
ID: .400
Length: 35/8
Plum wood is one of the prettiest woods to work with, but getting a supply of it can be difficult. I am fortunate to have come across three, rare, "homestead," age trees, perhaps as old as a century, that were taken down by their owners. I cut up and seal coated this wood and it has been curing in my drying area for two years. Much of it is burly and even much of that which isn't is a riot of attractive colors including reds, orange, mauve, browns, greens and yellow sapwood that is often quite brilliant. When the trees get very old it seems to concentrate the colors in the heartwood.
