I bought this lump as a burr, and it certainly was the right shape, being almost hemi-sherical, with the domed surface all bark and the circular, flat surface promising some interesting grain. However, when I cut into it, there wasn't a knot or pip in sight, but what I did find was a beautiful piece of ash with a highly contorted grain pattern. Having so much bark, it was a bit of a trial cutting through deeply enough to get a good grip with a set of 100mm deep-grip jaws and I had to loose nearly 2 inches off the depth, but it was worth it, ending up at 14" diameter x 4"deep.
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/DSCF3653Medium_zps6ba3d946.jpg)
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/DSCF3654Medium_zpseeefbee1.jpg)
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/DSCF3655Medium_zps571d185b.jpg)
![](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/lessymonds/2014%2001/DSCF3657Medium_zps9ce774ab.jpg)
I wanted to make the bowl have a 'feel' that reflected the complexity of the grain, so I hard sanded it with 40 grit garnet paper, then 60 grit, then onto Rhyngrip at 80, 120, 180, 240, 320 and 400. the whole bowl was then given a few coats of cellulose, mostly brushed on and wiped off, but sprayed into the bark crevices, with it all being rubbed back at 600 grit. Next followed three coats of microcrystaline buffed with a firm buffing wheel to give a satin finish. Any wax that had collected in the bark crevices was dispersed with a jet of compressed air and then melted into the crevices by flash-flaming with a gas torch.
A lot of work, but worth every minute.