What do you look for in a wood chessboard?

Hi all, this is Brad from Colorado Woodworker (Etsy).  I've posted on here many times so I am not here to plug my site, unless you all want me to!  I am a chessboard maker and a school teacher.  My school year is coming to an end and I am getting excited to start working a variety of different chessboards.  I wanted to reach out to this community to see if there are any ideas for wood chessboards that you don't see very often for sale.  I started making both Drueke style and magnetic chessboards because I had costumers reach out to me so I just wanted to see if there is any other styles that I can produce.

I am a pretty small shop so I can't do big extravagant wood cravings or anything like that but I do like a challenge.  If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them!

Thanks,

Brad

Hi mr B, how about framed folding board? So far I haven't seen a manufacturer that sells them.

This is picture from Noj as a sample

This is another from them

G’day Brad,

I rescued/refurbished this old solid wood board. It is brilliant - my favourite board by the length of the Flemington straight. Why? It’s solid, oiled wood. It doesn’t scratch, dent or mark easily like some of my veneered and varnished boards. 

As per Michael’s note above - this board would be magnificent with a raised outer edge. A folding option would be wonderful too and a folding options that can store pieces would also be interesting.

I am also attracted to the subtle grain that flows in the direction of play. 
On heavy boards like this - and living on a  big island - freight makes it difficult to purchase form quality providers like yourself but one day, if my brother - who travels more than I - gets close to where you are, I might get him to duck in and say hi!!

Pic 1. A raised frame, Jaques style board with honey tinted faux vintage patina finish might be interesting to see.

Pic 2. This board from NorthCountryWC on Etsy is interesting because one side features a raised frame. The reverse side is a flush framed board. 

What does the plaque say on pic 1? 

Would be nice it you had a European dealer- to handle your boards this side of the water , As shipping + vat + import tax is crazy .

Hi Brad,

I bought two magnetic boards from you and they are great.

I would also really like to see a board with raised edges.  Of course a better quality wood looks best.

Frank Camaratta used to have this style board made and sold it as it was the way you will find a lot of older, Jaques boards.  The problem is that their makers started making the boards thinner and of cheaper quality.

I bet the boards you would make would be of better quality. 

Brad,

I would buy (right now) a folding (or not) 2.25 inch board which looked like this:

If creating this as a folding board is prohibitive, I would consider a non-folding version as well. I'd also be interested in the Jaques-style board with raised perimeter mentioned in post #4.

If you are able to do either, please let me know!

I should reiterate what has been mentioned above - both of these are a serious hole in the market! I think you'd have a market if you could produce these two styles!

I agree wholeheartedly on those two type of boards. 

So @theonecalledmichael @felonet @eyechess 

Like this?

Almost, it's like post #8 & #2

I like horizontal grain lines while sitting at the chessboard.

Framed boards are classy .

I don't know how to say this without sounding petty. I would buy the first board in #4, but not the second. I would buy the board in #8, but not #12.

The second picture in #4 and the pictures in #12 are similar in concept, but dramatically different in look. They don't have the same colorways, vibes or feel as what we're looking for.

There's a legion of Dubrovnik and Jaques chess set owners who are desiring a chessboard to pair with their historic sets - something as close to the "original" chessboards as possible. We're unable to "complete" the look we're going for!

Brad - if you're willing to attempt one of these, I will be your guinea pig (and willing to pay!)

That's a nice looking chessboard. Nice job refurbishing it.

Another vote for a raised-edge/framed folder, preferably with barrel hinges, pls! 

(Do I need another of Brad's boards? No. Do I want another? H*ckin' duh, man.)

#12 isn't about colour or grain and is more about structure, these are the end colours I am going for:

What happened to mr Brad? 

I found this 48mm folding board, bit tight but it will do for the moment.

It should have 64 squares.