theendgame3 wrote:
That picture is of the highest quality and better than what vendors advertise. That there is a one beautiful set up. My apologies once again.
No worries. I'm glad we worked it out.
Stained ebony vs unstained ebony
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SpanishStallion wrote:
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.
A solution of acid and rust does not sound healthy to boxwood.
You are right, the solution which is usually acetic acid and iron powder penetrates wood deep and that is why cracks are much more common among ebonized chess pieces than normal boxwood.
Brynmr wrote:
SpanishStallion wrote:
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.
A solution of acid and rust does not sound healthy to boxwood.
I use to not mind buying an ebonized set. Now I am not so sure. Plain boxwood and unstained ebony might be the way to go. It is like when you first find out what is in the secret sauce at a restaurant.
MCH818 wrote:
Brynmr wrote:
SpanishStallion wrote:
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.
A solution of acid and rust does not sound healthy to boxwood.
I use to not mind buying an ebonized set. Now I am not so sure. Plain boxwood and unstained ebony might be the way to go. It is like when you first find out what is in the secret sauce at a restaurant.
If you store ebonized chess sets in a damp place after a while the dark color turns brown and gradually fades away. Problem with low grade ebony is it cracks specially at the base; Indian padauk not any better than Indian ebony. African padauk is much more dense and solid but because it is expensive they do not use it in India.
SpanishStallion wrote:
MCH818 wrote:
Brynmr wrote:
SpanishStallion wrote:
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.
A solution of acid and rust does not sound healthy to boxwood.
I use to not mind buying an ebonized set. Now I am not so sure. Plain boxwood and unstained ebony might be the way to go. It is like when you first find out what is in the secret sauce at a restaurant.
If you store ebonized chess sets in a damp place after a while the dark color turns brown and gradually fades away. Problem with low grade ebony is it cracks specially at the base; Indian padauk not any better than Indian ebony. African padauk is much more dense and solid but because it is expensive they do not use it in India.
Any good news to report? LOL
If my ebony or padauk acquire cracks, I'm calling that character. 
GambitHawk wrote:
MCH818 wrote:
I use to not mind buying an ebonized set. Now I am not so sure. Plain boxwood and unstained ebony might be the way to go. It is like when you first find out what is in the secret sauce at a restaurant.
Padauk is a nice alternative too.
Agreed. One of my sets is already Padauk and it is nice.
SpanishStallion wrote:
MCH818 wrote:
Brynmr wrote:
SpanishStallion wrote:
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.
A solution of acid and rust does not sound healthy to boxwood.
I use to not mind buying an ebonized set. Now I am not so sure. Plain boxwood and unstained ebony might be the way to go. It is like when you first find out what is in the secret sauce at a restaurant.
If you store ebonized chess sets in a damp place after a while the dark color turns brown and gradually fades away. Problem with low grade ebony is it cracks specially at the base; Indian padauk not any better than Indian ebony. African padauk is much more dense and solid but because it is expensive they do not use it in India.
I have to disagree. I don't really like the ebonized process you mentioned but I like it when the ebonized staining fades away. It develops a nice patina when it turns chocolate brown. It is like those old French Lardy sets. My padauk set is nice and so are my ebony sets. I don't know if the padauk set is the African or Indian padauk or if the ebony is Indian ebony or some other ebony but I like them nonetheless. Both materials are just stunning.
Most ebony pieces sold by The Chess Empire are stained, though they sell at least one set unstained, what they call "stripped" ebony. Golden Signature However, you can order unstained ebony. I just received TCE's Collector II Series in "stripped" ebony per my request. It is uniform in dark color, so much so that I at first thought it might be stained. A close inspection under good light, however, reveals the natural wood's grain and some brown/red tint in places. The set itself is lovely and beautifully made.
RichardHG wrote:
Most ebony pieces sold by The Chess Empire are stained, though they sell at least one set unstained, what they call "stripped" ebony. Golden Signature However, you can order unstained ebony. I just received TCE's Collector II Series in "stripped" ebony per my request. It is uniform in dark color, so much so that I at first thought it might be stained. A close inspection under good light, however, reveals the natural wood's grain and some brown/red tint in places. The set itself is lovely and beautifully made.
How do you like the Collectors II?
MCH818 wrote:
RichardHG wrote:
Most ebony pieces sold by The Chess Empire are stained, though they sell at least one set unstained, what they call "stripped" ebony. Golden Signature However, you can order unstained ebony. I just received TCE's Collector II Series in "stripped" ebony per my request. It is uniform in dark color, so much so that I at first thought it might be stained. A close inspection under good light, however, reveals the natural wood's grain and some brown/red tint in places. The set itself is lovely and beautifully made.
How do you like the Collectors II?
I love the set. The pieces seem almost delicately carved. They are medium weight and fit my hand well. I especially love the knight, which is simply elegant.
That's just beautiful!
Brynmr wrote:
RichardHG wrote:
Does staining wood usually hide the grain? How do we know whether ebony pieces that show grain are stained? And do you care if you can see the wood grain?
You know how I feel. I love seeing the grain of ebony wood. I think it's beautiful. I was told by Mandeep (Staunton Castle) that they do not stain their ebony which is why I can see the grain of my Danum set under stronger lights and in daylight to a lesser extent. And a few pieces show very little grain at all."
Interesting that SC says they don't stain. I recently and unfortunately noticed two of my ebony pawns developed cracks in the base. When photographing them per request from Mandeep, the difference between all 8 pawns and the rest of the pieces is night and day. Not even a hint of grain in any of the pawns while the rest of the pieces have the beautiful streaks of dark brown running thru.
Could the experts identify if this set is genuine ebony, ebonized or stained?
Or plastic? No offence, but impossible to tell from that pic.
ferpesan wrote:
Could the experts identify if this set is genuine ebony, ebonized or stained?
Not the best photo. But it is not ebonized.
From the photo I will say ebony. And since I can see brown. Not stained.
I would say you are good to go!
In ebonized pieces the boxwood is inserted in solution of acid and rust and left for up to several days to turn into blackish color. Stained is when a solution of paint and thinner is brushed on the chess pieces. Stained is safer for wood but gradually fades away.