Made this paddle for my GoPro, used my OX and JTech photonics laser engraver. The Koa really shined up and looks great.
Did the koa start out with the two tone color or did it get that way after sanding?
I sanded the Koa before engraving. I looked for a piece of Koa in my stash that had allot a curl already visible before sanding. The sanding definitely brings out the luster, but what really makes it pop is the addition of the Danish oil. So yes it already had some visible two tone or curl to it before sanding but just a hint of it.
Awesome! I have a couple of 1.5"x6"x5’ pieces I was going to make some led light bases out of but having not worked with Koa before I was hesitant to use them
Wow those are some serious pieces. Look for the curl and shine if you want a piece to really pop. Only 10% of Koa is curly. Koa is a hard wood and generally very beautiful but the curly pieces are just unbelievable. I usually sand down to at least a 300 grit so it’s silky to the touch and you will start to see the character really come out. Myself and a friend of mine work with Koa allot and we both think Danish oil is a great general oil that just makes Koa look beautiful. He takes things further with his pens where he uses a micromesh sanding technique and can charge $300 for one of his pens here in Hawaii. The wood literally can take on an almost three dimensional look almost like a hologram if the right piece is finished properly. Good luck and share some pics or your work when your done.