At 20:43 +0100 23/05/2011, I wrote: >...In the 1890's Brinsmead fitted a shank made of a wood the colour >of black walnut, which I have never identified properly... I have now identified it properly. It is black walnut! 7/32". I needed to repair one of these shanks on a 5'5" grand by splicing and was able to make an invisible repair using walnut. The discoloration of the surface was misleading me -- once I planed the angle for the splice it was clear it was walnut. Wolfenden reckoned hickory was the best thing for shanks but I don't think I've ever seen it used. Do you see hickory shanks in America? JD
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