This past Saturday, four of us from the Harrisburg Women's Woodworking Club visited Hearne Hardwoods in Oxford, PA.
The new sho
wroom that's currently under construction will be spectacular when complete. Let's put it this way—they're using ebony pegs for the mortise and tenon timber framing. I think that says it all.The current showroom houses samples of exotic and domestic lumber, including some jaw-dropping flitches leaning against the wall.
Two amiable labs who like to pretend your legs are a bridge under which they should travel halfway and then stop, and a fluffy puffball masquerading as a cat greet you upon entry.
The people are friendly and helpful and let you wander throughout the warehouse at your leisure.
The women were choosing lumber for jewellry boxes they plan to build at our next meeting and I was looking for wood for handplanes and whatever else caught my eye.
We came away with Curly Cherry, European Plum, Bocote, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Hearne is great, I remember visiting last year. I picked up a really nice piece of apple, while drooling over all of that funky stuff they have there, like the olive and plum.
ReplyDeleteSigh, this is the type of thing I miss about Pennsylvania.
For the sake of all the local wood buyers perhaps you should erase this post.
ReplyDeleteWow! That door in the top left of the photos of the new showroom is just...WOW! Creative way to highlight the grain.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I live far far away from that place... it would cost me way to much in wood and I couldn't afford to buy new tools;)
ReplyDeleteLabs and wood?! Sounds like a place to live rather than visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend the day.
Hi Kari - this time you've gone way too far...wood porn at it's most lewd!
ReplyDeleteI've got something fairly local that stocks a goodly selection, but nothing quite like that.
Me...envious?...pah! - Rob
Biran, apple is wonderful--smells like cider when you cut it. Perhaps you need to move back to PA!
ReplyDeleteBill, where's the fun in that? ; )
Vic, it truly was gorgeous. I especially liked the staircase but didn't know what kind of wood they used.
David, should I tell you that they ship? Nah, I'll be nice.
Abi, indeed! The dogs were really sweet. And the wood...the wood...
Rob, it was mind boggling. I can never seem to make up my mind in places like that. Too many tempting choices!
Sorry---BRIAN, not Biran...
ReplyDeleteI have this nice little black dress I could wear to the next sale...
ReplyDeleteYou've heard the expression "money is no object"...that showroom is what happens when wood is no object!!!
ReplyDeleteA pocketbook? There's no pocketbooks at lumberyards!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I understand you designed the cover for Stephen Shepherd's receipt book. Very nice work indeed.
Regarding some of the other comments lamenting that such shops are hard to find: It took me a little while to find out about a place around here - Kettle Moraine Hardwoods (I have no financial interest in that business) - that sells beautiful, dry, and mostly local, wood to small-quantity buyers at very reasonable prices. I would think that there would be similar businesses in most regions.
ReplyDeleteAlfred
I went to Hearne's for the first time in mid-October to purchase cherry for a bed that I am making for my daughter. It was a terrific Saturday morning exploring the racks. And my kids got kick out of playing with the dogs.
ReplyDeleteGary, no pictures, didn't happen. ; )
ReplyDeleteShannon, you're right! I must go back when it's finished.
John, oh right, and you'd probably also say there's no crying in baseball. sheesh! Glad you like Stephen's cover.
Alfred, we have several small shops around here, too. It's just a matter of rooting around and asking questions, since they don't advertise.
Denise, they had really, really nice cherry, so your daughter's bed will be beautiful, I'm sure. We're lucky to live in this area--plenty of cherry and walnut. And buggies. heh.
VC,
ReplyDeleteThe biggest treat at Hearne's (besides the wood) is seeing the bandmill run. I took a class there last month and we watched for about two hours as Steve cut up an African Blackwood log that was truly amazing. If you get the chance, trek on back when the mill is running. Call before you go and if they aren't sawing, ask them when they will be and go then.
Chuck, I saw a big bandsaw at another lumber yard and a huge circular blade at another, but have never seen them cut up a log. That would be cool! Thanks--I was looking for a reason to go back.....
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