Cypress Knee's

[Colin_Partridge]

Hi gang,
Barry twigged me to ask a question that I have been meaning to ask for a while. I was looking at his carving of a cypress knee. I have about thirty of them that I purchased about five years ago in Florida and have had them stored in my shop. When I was in Florida I watched them boil the knee's and remove the bark very easy. My problem now is that the bark is on like glue. Does anyone know if there is an easy method of removing it I tried with a wire wheel but it marks the wood and is really dusty and messy.
Thanks in advance
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Re: Cypress Knee's

Wish I could help Colin, but The only dealing with Cypress knees was back in Jr High shop ( a few days ago) : and we made lamps out of them. Gave a couple to my Grandmother and mother. Got them back when they passed away. May have to try my hand at carving them. Probanly not unique but a carved Cyprees knee lamp might be an interesting conversation peice.

[sbrown]

Re: Cypress Knee's

I don't know for sure, but I would suspect that boiling them would still remove the bark. I have 'de-barked' a couple using a pressure washer, kinda messy but effective!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Cypress Knee's

Colin, since you have a lot and could afford to experiment, how about soaking one in water over night, then boiling the next day? I would try that before power removing of the bark, I just spent two weeks sick that started from breathing the dust from pulling that stunt!! : :P

[AlArchie]

Re: Cypress Knee's

I had a cypress knee once, the Doc prescribed relafin and it cleared up in about a week.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Cypress Knee's

Yeh, I had a knock knee once too, but I answered it! : :P