At Christmas I was gifted two small pieces of Tasmanian Huon Pine, and anyone who knows timber understands just how special that is. Huon Pine isn’t just another Australian timber; it carries history, character, and a grain that deserves respect. It’s tight, consistent, beautifully aromatic when worked, and it tells its own story before you even shape it.
It felt only right that these pieces wouldn’t become client builds or auction pieces. Over the course of this year, they’re for me. Personal projects. Lures built without pressure, without deadline, just a quiet pursuit of doing the timber justice.
The first off the bench is a semi-nude diving lure, designed to showcase the natural grain rather than bury it under layers of paint. Staying true to the material is important. With Huon Pine, less is more. The goal wasn’t to overpower it, but to complement it.
A subtle flame treatment was used to lift the grain and bring depth to the surface. Just a small amount of black detailing was added to frame the profile without dominating it. In the final stages, a touch of gold fleck suspended in the clear coat gives it life when it catches the light, understated in the workshop, but alive in the water.
To finish it off, I added two fluro eyes as a defined hot spot, a clear strike point without taking away from the natural aesthetic. They provide contrast and intent, balancing tradition with function.
In the hand, this handcrafted timber lure feels special. There’s weight, warmth, and that unmistakable feel that only natural timber provides. But as always, looks mean little without performance. Fortunately, it backs it up. The diving action is clean and deliberate, tracking true with the kind of movement that only comes from careful shaping, ballast placement, and time spent refining the details.
This one isn’t about hype or release dates. It’s about craftsmanship, restraint, and building something personal from a timber that deserves nothing less
No comments:
Post a Comment