Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by **TIM** » Oct 5th, '12, 01:04

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by TIM » Oct 5th, '12, 01:04

I'm surprise that you relay on google fact, since you have the advantage of living in Hong Kong and everywhere around your hood are filled with wonderful antiques :wink:

http://www.chinese-furniture.com/cgi-bi ... tml&id=105

A chicken wing opium bed, made from Chinese jichi.
http://m.flickr.com/photos/65257125@N00 ... /lightbox/

by **jayinhk** » Oct 5th, '12, 04:52

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by jayinhk » Oct 5th, '12, 04:52

Like jade (where in China, a large number of stones are all called 'jade'), there are multiple species that fall under the 'chicken wing' banner:

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=1591 ... _729787904

The Hainan chicken wing looks a lot like wenge: nice stuff!

鸡翅木 = wenge and chicken wing wood. The same name is used for both in Chinese!

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=1354 ... 1112261463

by **TIM** » Oct 5th, '12, 07:43

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by TIM » Oct 5th, '12, 07:43

The similarity of this issue sounded justed like a $5 yixing pot, Thailand LongJing, Africa aloeswood or China Wonderland... :lol:

Since we are discussing a subject related to esthetic, I was hoping to point out the genuine article. If we are talking about gemstone or diamond for example, we might not be querying about the 4C on the grade from a diamond cutter.

by **jayinhk** » Oct 5th, '12, 11:35

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by jayinhk » Oct 5th, '12, 11:35

There's a reason why a lot of the "chicken wing" on Taobao isn't from Hainan, and is from other species (many endangered) that have the same "chicken wing" pattern when crosscut:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Ormosia

The Hainan ormosia is now extinct, like many other native tree and animal species in China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoy_tiger

Despite the marketing spiel a vendor may give you, there's a good chance one would be purchasing smuggled hardwood from Southeast Asia or Central Africa when buying "chicken wing." Alternatively, you'd be getting other ormosia species, e.g., from Fujian. Some vendors will clearly state the origin of their wood, while others will obfuscate the details.

BTW, I love Chinese opium beds! I definitely need one at some point. Your room looks very nice.

by **TIM** » Oct 5th, '12, 15:10

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by TIM » Oct 5th, '12, 15:10

jayinhk wrote:There's a reason why a lot of the "chicken wing" on Taobao isn't from Hainan, and is from other species (many endangered) that have the same "chicken wing" pattern when crosscut:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Ormosia

The Hainan ormosia is now extinct, like many other native tree and animal species in China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoy_tiger

Despite the marketing spiel a vendor may give you, there's a good chance one would be purchasing smuggled hardwood from Southeast Asia or Central Africa when buying "chicken wing." Alternatively, you'd be getting other ormosia species, e.g., from Fujian. Some vendors will clearly state the origin of their wood, while others will obfuscate the details.

BTW, I love Chinese opium beds! I definitely need one at some point. Your room looks very nice.

Thanks Jay, I commissioned a group of Chinese furniture in the past. Those are made of reclaimed Zitan, Hunghuali, Wutan from old house and furniture in China. The opium bed was one of the example.

If you are into Chinese Antique woods, you might want to start a new topic Jay regarding that :wink:

There are many pockets in China still finding rare wood growing like Huanghuali, Golden craw Zitan and Raw green Kyara (starting around $750US per gram. wholesale).

by **jayinhk** » Oct 5th, '12, 15:33

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by jayinhk » Oct 5th, '12, 15:33

You have great taste in everything Tim!

I actually know very little about Chinese hardwood, but I see there's a lot to learn. $750 a gram for wood!

by **135F2** » Oct 5th, '12, 15:35

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by 135F2 » Oct 5th, '12, 15:35

Nice things give a nice touch and atmosphere to a tea ceremony, I agree. I should indulge in such nice things, too, one day. For the moment, however, I have been using a letter opener from Office Depot. It's got a blunted tip and the edges are not sharp, so there is little risk of bloodying myself in the process.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/8 ... el-Letter/

by **beecrofter** » Oct 5th, '12, 15:40

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by beecrofter » Oct 5th, '12, 15:40

A piece of music wire would allow your knifemaker material for a half dozen or more picks.
Lilac prunings polish up beautifully and are quite hard for handles.

by **jayinhk** » Oct 5th, '12, 15:48

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by jayinhk » Oct 5th, '12, 15:48

beecrofter wrote:A piece of music wire would allow your knifemaker material for a half dozen or more picks.
Lilac prunings polish up beautifully and are quite hard for handles.

Those are excellent suggestions bee! Thank you. Lilac does indeed look great, and is not something I'm currently using. I'll definitely look into it!

by **TIM** » Oct 5th, '12, 16:57

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by TIM » Oct 5th, '12, 16:57

One of the best tool as a puerh knife:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/stan ... hisel.aspx

by **jayinhk** » Oct 6th, '12, 00:22

Re: Best shape and length for a pu erh knife?

by jayinhk » Oct 6th, '12, 00:22

Admittedly there's not much to a pu erh needle, but I might as well have a special one made for me.

I'm thinking stainless and horse bone.