Cork Shelf Life

Good morning, All~


Vince~ I'm not sure why I have this vivid image in my head of very thick black cork from salvaged from a big refrigeration plant - maybe a fur storage - on LI. But, I trust your information over my aging brain.... It is one more question I wish I had asked of my Dad and his gunning partners whilst they were still available. (In fact, there is one nonagenarian I know down in the Sunshine State with an encyclopedic memory - and a knack for storytelling. I need to write him.)



I have a full collection of the different cork types, including the tarred cork. Someday I will use the life preserver cork to make a traditional Great South Bay Black Duck - just to honor the type.


Thanks to all or the great information!


SJS

 
What an informative post. I didn't think this question would garner such discussion, but I'm glad it did. Based on all the above I'd say there is hope for my cork, and perhaps if it is getting crumbly care when carving followed by a good sealant will keep it intact and extend its life considerably.

The cork in my picture is actually "community property". Thomas and two friends spent a fair amount of time helping me move Jeff's things to my shop. They were really interested in the cork for decoys so I told them the cork would be community property amongst all of us to use today and tomorrow. One day I expect to try my hand at decoy carving and the boys expressed the same interest. I figure that day will come and they'll have a cheap way to get started and enough cork to put together an entire rig. As an added benefit every time I look at it I'm reminded of my friend.

Eric
 

Steve & All,

The thick black cork of which you write about could be. Either as a solid piece, or several pieces layered to make a sheet. Could be that the high quality cork was used in certain situations, but not the norm. It is certainly not out of the question.

I have large blocks of 4 inch thick black cork of very good quality, that I purchased in the early 1980's.


Much of the refrigeration cork that came into my possession was taken from old Rail Road Refrigeration Box Cars. Other pieces have come from other refrigeration containers of years gone by.

With condensation being a major factor in refrigeration. The tarred application I do believe, was more to protect the cork from absorbing moisture/water during thawing and freezing. This would help to deter the cork "explosions", that your wrote about.


This has been a very informative and educational conversation. Thanks to all that are taking part. Another example of why duckboats.net needs to BE.


Best regards
Vince
 
Eric, based on working black cork via Stanley Sureform rasps, draw knives, and power carvers, I would encourage you to use a Foredom with a fine tungsten cylindrical or cone bit to work crumbly cork down into its final body shape and 80 grit wet/dry flint paper for final sanding prior sealing. The Foredom enables you to establish a rate fo cork removal that is compatible with the status of the block, slower in crumbly areas and at higher rpms where texture and composition is firmer. These also enable you to grind-in feather borders and other body contours that better depict a live bird, epoxy as a sealer keeps primaries and high points from snapping-off or wearing away. While expensive, I would also encourage sealing with thinned epoxy or a penetrating epoxy.
 
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I was told that the cork decoys I picked up two years ago where made of refrigerator cork. They have held up from the wear and tear of two seasons in the salt. Some of the cork does seem crumbly ( a head detached revealing the true cork composition) but the bodies have held together fine. My plan is reshape the bodies and the heads this summer to have a less blocky appearance. I will post before and after photos.



View attachment decoy.jpg
 
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