WH1, Thank you for the kind words. The haft was derived from a kiln dried quarter sawn plank. The wood was finished with scrapers and burnished. Iron nitrate was used to accentuate the curl, followed by some dark brown and amber colored aniline dyes. The dyes were diluted Trans-Tint brand. As far as the black linear grain colors, I use burnt umber powder mixed with my own brew of tinted BLO for the final finish.
Bart