Burnt Cork Black Ducks

jode hillman

jode hillman

Well-known member
It has been awhile since I have had time to work on these rig birds. I have been taking photo's along the way and didn't want to clog up the Workbench thread. I figured some guys would like to see the process I am trying out.


Smooth Carved cork



The start of the sealing+burning process.Linseed oil and Turps with some dryer added.




Soak the blocks with as much of the mix as possible.



light it up outside and keep a wet rag nearby. Idea isa controlled char, not charcoal......



After a light char, touch up any spots that need it with a torch.



Use some coarse steel wool to rub in more linseed mixture and spread the char evenly..



Let it soak as much as it will take.



After a few days drying, buff with some burlap. Heads doweled and ready to be attached.



heads epoxied and clamped on..........


First coat of Ronan Primer on the heads. A light sanding and then another prime coat. Then ready for finish paint and ticking.




Heads painted, some sparse body details added and two heavy coats of a homemade matte varnish. Final step will be rigging and field trials! I'll be sure to add a final in field hunting picture


 
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I see two things in this post that need comment.....


First is the picture with the heads clamped down with those neat strap twisty handle clampy things......you turned that one on the far right opposite to the others to drive Sanford crazy didn't you?....I'm wondering how long it will be before Steve has that picture photoshopped so all the clamps are facing the same way...


Second is "why didn't you post this all those years ago when I was burning cork"?....I'd never done it and didn't know anyone that had so I just burned the cork with a torch and a fan tip....slow going and took a lot of reburns....how easy, and excitingly potentially dangerous, it looks once the cork is doused in highly flammable accelerants and then set afire......


Great post Jode. Puts me in the mood for a little arson.....


Steve
 
Jode thanks for sharing Paul Dobrosky explained this process to me in the past cool to see the visual really simple and they come out ver cool. Nice job can't wait to see the finished product
 
I have a less than intelligent question Jode.


What's the reason for burning the cork? Is this done for the coloring? or effect? tradition? or does burning make the cork a little tuffer?


Sorry I don't know...


Jon


PS, they do look cool!
 
OCD I am not? LOL! Steve actually gave me a lot of good advice at the start of this project, so I am enjoying experimenting.

With my rather dubious record with fire I was quite apprehensive and very happy to light them up outside. It was harder than I thought to keep the cork lit, It needed to be highly saturated to get a good char.


I am toying with leaving the blocks as is or slathering them in a matte glazed varnish when complete. I will test a small area then make a decision.
 
Jon, Just a quick and dirty way to get black duck color without having to paint.......I think it should wear well and look good with a minimum of fuss for a long while.
 
Steve~

I could not respond right away when I saw your post - had to call my therapist....

(but please note how my initials are a perfectly symmetrical palindrome!)

SJS
 
Jon~

To my eyes, nothing can quite match burnt cork for the depth and subtlety of a Black's feathering. The residue of linseed oil sheds water and so the birds never shine - although they can be a bit slippery when picking up the rig during the first season.

All the best,

SJS
 
Jode~

That herd looks great! Can't wait to see your paint on those heads.

I "fixed" that unsettling photo - see how "less is more"?

Hillmancorkerscropped_zps78633594.jpg


Now I can relax.....

All the best,

SJS
 
jode, what are you using after the process to seal the newer cork and prevent "wicking" into the minivoids? Wiley WAS super for doing this, since it had a totally different binder matrix. Have not messed with the burning on the newer stuff, BUT Bomber mentioned that he was playing around with applying sealer while the material was still hot, which appeared to draw the sealer into the body.

I shall remain curious about these until you float test them for a season. Please weigh before use, then after season, to check for wicking.
G
 
George, not sure yet......that's why I was considering some type of top coat. There is a good chance these blocks are Wiley as they came from the estate of Chris Pratt and were bought about 15 years ago I believe.
 
You can also "cheat" and apply a coat of dark walnut oil based stain cut 50/50 with spar varnish after burning. color is very similar to burning, and adds water resistance. Note: some well respected carver turned me onto this, and I can't remember who now, I'm sorry.
 
You can also "cheat" and apply a coat of dark walnut oil based stain cut 50/50 with spar varnish after burning. color is very similar to burning, and adds water resistance. Note: some well respected carver turned me onto this, and I can't remember who now, I'm sorry.
Click to expand...


I was just going to offer the same suggestion. I too forget who told me about that "secret" the only thing I remember was that it happened at Westlake...
 
Jode, great pics and great styling. Never saw the burning do that way, always saw it done with a torch. Did you reenforce the tails or will the cork binder do it???
Great Work...
 
Very cool! Great tutorial, even for those of us who never touch a block of cork.
Don't guess this would work with foamers....... :)
 
You can also "cheat" and apply a coat of dark walnut oil based stain cut 50/50 with spar varnish after burning. color is very similar to burning, and adds water resistance. Note: some well respected carver turned me onto this, and I can't remember who now, I'm sorry.
Click to expand...


That's a great idea, I was planning on tinting any topcoat I use with burnt umber, so the stain in esscence will accomplish the same thing.
 
Jode, great pics and great styling. Never saw the burning do that way, always saw it done with a torch. Did you reenforce the tails or will the cork binder do it???
Great Work...
Click to expand...

Rich, I carefully drilled pilot holes, filled with epoxy, and ran two 4" deck screws thru the tail and into the body proper.
 
Jode, these are gorgeous. Sign me up for a pair when you go into production.

I'm guessing the burnt cork may be more durable than cork--but have the same concerns about sealing.
 
Jode~

That herd looks great! Can't wait to see your paint on those heads.

I "fixed" that unsettling photo - see how "less is more"?

Hillmancorkerscropped_zps78633594.jpg


Now I can relax.....

All the best,

SJS
Click to expand...



Thanks Steve......now my wife would love your corrected pic......she needs all her ducks in. A row so to speak!
 
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