Wow, I have an ugly mug!

**Bugbear** · 10th September 10, 02:39 AM

Ya, I grow gourds. Bitter nasty tasting things.

Oddly enough, I've never used them for drinking vessels, so never treated the insides.

**Detroitpete** · 10th September 10, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Probably a lot better than drinking from your boot.

I HATE when I do that!

**Nighthawk** · 10th September 10, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by Piper

Not usually. There are two types of brewers pitch, dark and blonde. The dark works better in wooden vessels, as its a bit more brittle. I've used the blonde in leather, and even gourd, canteens and such, and never had a problem with an off taste. If you want a real taste treat, try taking a pull from an untreated water gourd after it's sat around for a day or two.

Yeah, not pleasant! Been there...

Ted, as Piper said, pitch doesn't leave any sort of aftertaste. Bees wax does, on the other hand- my son's drinking horn gives just the slightest hint of a honey flavor to water.

**Bugbear** · 10th September 10, 12:10 PM

Cool. I'll keep that in mind, and I see there are some on line places to get brewer's pitch.

I have a crop of dipper gourds out there this year...

**Nighthawk** · 10th September 10, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Cool. I'll keep that in mind, and I see there are some on line places to get brewer's pitch.

I have a crop of dipper gourds out there this year...

I have been thinking about making a canteen from a gourd. If you happen to have a spare, keep me in mind. Here's a good place to get some pitch, and they have a nice tutorial on using it:

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...roducts_id=373

Only thing is, pitch smells bad when it's hot. You really want to do it outside!!

**BobsYourUncle** · 10th September 10, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

My first mug! The crest is the Polish eagle.

My dad asked me to make this for a friend of his in Poland, who happens to love hand made gifts. Never done one of these before since they are technicly not period for me. I'm really pretty pleased with how it came out!

Very nice work!

**Nighthawk** · 10th September 10, 02:29 PM

Just finished with the wax coating- and burning myself on the back of the arm...

I really need to pay closer attention to what I'm doing when I'm around hot things! Or sharp things...

**Bugbear** · 10th September 10, 04:38 PM

We need to get you involved with metal casting, Hawk...

**Nighthawk** · 10th September 10, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

We need to get you involved with metal casting, Hawk...

My brother used to do that. Too damned hot for my taste! And it doesn't smell nearly as good as melted bee's wax!

**Bugbear** · 10th September 10, 06:37 PM

Ya, bee's wax is good stuff. I need to get some more of that, too.

That reminds me, I was cutting walking sticks from my trees last year, and I was dipping the ends in wax. Sure enough, I knocked the wax over and it went all over my workshop floor.

I seal the ends with wood glue now.