T-109 - Mortar with Pestle

Rock maple crotch and black walnut
Mortar: 4” x 4”  Pestle: 5” x 1½”                              $59.  
Mark Baldwin, Surry Maine

The crotch of a tree where branches and trunk merge is a confusion of interesting grain. An effect In this piece of rock maple is a tight density of the wood.

Each end of the pestle is useful. The rounded end grinds nuts, seeds, or whatever small thing you want to into smaller pieces. The flat end easily and powerfully mashes garlic so he skin politely flakes off. The pestle is shown twice here so you can see both ends.

The maple grew in Hancock County Maine where, after fading for many years, the old tree finally came down in a fierce Nor’easter. The walnut grew in West Virginia where a constriction crew was clearing for an overpass – but hadn’t finished hauling it to a landfill. What a gift to a passing carpenter!

This kitchen implement was made with a chainsaw, axe, and hand lathe tools – no automatic lathes or cnc machine in sight.

Cost each: $59.00
Unit size: One of a kind