Buying the Nicest Live Edge Slabs in LA

Brad and Dylan travelled to check out GL Veneer which is a wood supplier in LA to find some new live edge slabs for future tables.
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[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Seeing so many comments getting angry at us, so: Almost all the trees at GL and the ones we use in general are salvaged. They either had to be cut down because they were causing safety concerns, they were already dead / dying and causing the trees around it to get infected too, etc!

[@jkellyid]

yeah I learned there is a whole industry utilizing dead or dying trees when the 200 plus year old white oak on our land split down the middle (probably from a burl at the top) Burled trees to the ignorant are not typically healthy trees. We love them for what we can make out of them. But they are typically struggling with some kind of fungal infection, or other antagonist or carcinogen that causes the burling. Sometimes a burl or blister is caused simply be debris being captured in the crotch of a branch or fold of a root as it grows. the burl on our White oak was nearly 100 ft off the ground, and was I want to say about 15 gallons of debri that had been grown over in a crotch of the first major branch. Yes I'm saying the first branch on this tree was about 100 ft off the ground. It was a beast of a oak. Some places walnut can explode in growth. My new house has no trees older than 50 years but the most mature walnut is so massive you'd assume it was over 100 based on its diameter. I have some downed trees I will be milling for projects. Honestly most people that have odd feelings about wood working don't understand how much the entire industry and trade has matured far past sustainability and towards outright amazing environmental husbandry.

[@DoomPhD]

Angry people in the comments raging about a 2 year old video... keep up the good work guys. Love the videos.

[@TheMonkdad]

@@jkellyid sounds like you’re a responsible harvester of trees. My concern is that any time someone sees financial value in something it opens the floodgates to unethical behavior such as the Amazon rain forest. Maybe every ethical harvester should mark and track the history of their supply to take the value out of the product that was unethically harvested.

[@hickorygolddoc]

I can tell ya that we bought a place that had 4 walnut trees on the property. We have been here 32 years and they were grafted onto black walnut root systems . They were quite old and the grafts were failing on them to various degrees. Plus we live in a very flat farm ground area with a 40 acre field that was to the south with the line of walnut trees situated in a row north to south. The far south tree was blown down in the wind. We get very strong winds out here and have lost our roof and had some of the greenhouse blow away, and on our road we once had 6 power poles in a row that snapped off at various heights from about 6’ to 10’ from the ground. The other trees ended up slowly dying over the years. The last two we have some of the main trunks and the black walnut burls. Trees can just be a hazard that people need gone. We had a bird drop a nut from a Turkish Hazelnut tree and it is a few feet from the corner of the garage. It is just small but it has to go! But some people don’t remove such trees and eventually they become a liability. Old orchards and new subdivisions often involve removal of trees. Some go to a local mill if they can, but it’s nice to know some of the trees that the mills don’t take can end up being used for a purpose in other ways rather than pushed into a pile and burned. So basically salvaged and those who think that is wrong are not using their brain to actually research what they choose to complain about. Just a lot of hot air. I love trees. Wish ours could still be standing but rather see more use out of them then let them rot or burn them up. We gave the rest of the usable wood to some who heats their place with wood. We had a horrible ice storm and lost limbs and a few trees are down, two on our field fence. Ash trees. When it dries out (super wet this year in willamette valley in Oregon) but we will try to put them to good use. So utterly silly that people have gotten angry at you for giving these failed or problem trees a good chance at a purposeful use. They should be thrilled they are not just burned up or left to rot or left to fall on a house! Also, in my opinion, Oregon and other states should be removing the burnt dead and dying forest trees so the healthy ones can thrive instead of be fuel for the next fire! BTW beautiful what you all are doing! 🌳

[@doratiscareno5856]

Back in the 70's i worked for two of the largest furniture manufacturers My Position Was The Buyer Purchasing Agent I Purchased ALL The WOOD, PAINTS, FINISHES, IN CHARGE OF THE SANDING DEPARTMENT, SPRAY BOOTHS AND EQUIPTMENT...I WAS LITERALLY IN CHARGE OF PURCHASING EVERYTHING... RIGHT DOWN TO THE CRATING PINE TOO SHIP ... I enjoyed watching the wood turn into masterpieces... beautiful piece's of furniture Some of the movie🎬 studios were are biggest clients...

[@101feeds]

That is some beautiful pieces you guys picked out. Can’t wait to see what becomes of them. What a great plant to visit.

[@Zynn16]

Watching you guys is making me fall in love with wood!!! In 2024, i just found BFWC and im not disappointed at all!!!

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

We really appreciate all your comments!

[@austinw2111]

My Dad worked at GL Veneer for 20 years as the head of sales. Ive been in that plant 50 or more times and the Owner Jeff Leven is a great guy. So many memories at that place.

[@CommercialForest]

Austin W They are a class act! Who is your dad? I may know him. 👍

[@rochedt71]

You guys are inspiring. To work with and create furniture from natural wood must be very rewarding. Customers will be in for a real treat went they see the finished product i'm sure.

[@paulandersen9386]

This is a great great video!! What a pleasure to see this facility. I would like to see more in-depth tours of their product. I am very interested in seeing what becomes of your purchase. Great job. I just subscribed

[@brianteeter7695]

A wood workers wet dream, oh my God. So beautiful. The mind races at the possibilities.

[@TheBearGrylz]

Loved the vid. Thanks man. Can’t wait to see the finished projects.

[@anthonychavez3742]

I'm new to woodworking and I just came across your videos this is amazing I've really enjoyed watching your video and plan to see the rest.

[@woodspirit52]

I'm with you; I've never seen pieces that big in one place. Thanks for sharing.

[@dianalandry4617]

Loved this video of showing where you go to pick out the amazing wood you create with. Really enjoyed seeing process!!

[@wiserbud23]

Great video and I’m with you guys when it comes to looking at the amazing possibilities you can create with these slabs! You guys are actually working on planing down some Angelim Bermelho that I’m refinishing for a client and I’ve been watching your videos for inspiration for the finishing process. Keep up the great work!👌🏽

[@shanarablue339]

Live edge and the more knots and gaps etc the better, it's all visual texture , that place is just amazing . Great vids guys , been looking for channel like this with more info on wood and pigments .👍👍

[@Jorge-po9tl]

Once I made a 2 week trip to argentina with my father thru crazy dirt roads in the andes, between vulcans and volcanos across rivers and lakes just to buy wood, we lost most of it in a fire a year later, but the trip was worth it.

[@jimohalloran6652]

Cannot wait 2 see the Fantastic pieces you make out of the new Slabs, You All Make Great Pieces of Furniture, Great Job Guys

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Thank you so much!! We're super excited to work on these slabs 😁

[@TimberTramp]

So cool to see your operations side of things! Keep it up!

[@MsDawn0113]

jaw dropping. I kept rewinding over and over again. My mind is just reeling with ideas.

[@BeasleyStreet]

you've highlighted in the most wonderful way the beauty of wood in your finished product....and it's only a plant, I too am a wood geek.

[@scottmedori1437]

Love the Oregon walnut burl. Some gorgeous tuned bowls there

[@briteness]

So interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[@misfitramone]

I responded to a guy giving away of cuts of hard woods when I first started woodworking again, I was making a couple end grain cutting boards so short pieces worked fine for me. But I was talking to the guy and he started just loading my car with free wood and he gave me these smaller English walnut slabs and it is one of my favorite types of wood now. I live in the northwest United States and this tree came over with him from Virginia in log form. He bought a bandsaw mill and cut it into boards and i showed up thinking i was getting home depot red oak, maybe some maple and I left with almost a thousand dollars worth of walnut, English walnut, cherry, maple, white oak, teak, rose wood, i mean you name it he had it! Then he said if you ever hear of a tree coming down to let him know and the next week I answered an ad, a guy took out a walnut, cherry, and maple tree from his backyard and we got em all! But English walnut is amazing wood. Sorry for the tmi rambling but I see this much amazing wood i get amped!

[@garrettjones8017]

That's so fxxxing cool man. I just got into woodworking recently and it is so exciting man!

[@livewellwitheds6885]

very generous!

[@misfitramone]

@@garrettjones8017 i didn't see this until just now but good luck! It's a fun and rewarding hobby and most of the presents i gave this year were wood. Plus I made a bit extra selling some bowls, cutting boards, and jewelry boxes around Christmas so that was nice.

[@misfitramone]

@@livewellwitheds6885 yeah that guy is awesome. We've picked up a bunch of logs and I am taking them out to mill them soon. Stuff i can't find at hardwood dealers too, I have a few elm, and sycamore that we're going slab them so I can make some charcuterie boards.

[@jasonpiccoli1476]

I watch a lot of your stuff. This video was a great addition to the channel. Lot of fun to view.

[@annowens7123]

Thank you for this awesome tour. The different species are eye candy!

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Yes they are! Thanks for watching!

[@normchop6342]

Just found this site and subscribed immediately! Very impressive and watching My first video... hooked already as a carpenter and amateur woodworker. I learned so much in just a few minutes... looking forward to much more!

[@homegrown197929]

Walking into your store is bad. I always go in with money and come out with none lol. Love your product selection, staff knowledge and your finished products. Great job guys

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Haha sorry about that 🤣 Thank you so much though! We appreciate hearing that!

[@jamtaylor1992]

The scale of these beautiful pieces of wood is actually mesmerising! To think that's all nature! Stunning!

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

It’s incredible!!!

[@ContractOfficeReps]

I have always wanted to visit their location in LA. They have a great reputation in the commercial furniture industry. Thank you for sharing.

[@robbrent]

Subbed and watched a number of your vlogs. I admire your personality which makes for confident presenting together with the knowledge you’ve already got at a young age. I assume that you’re part of the family owning the business and that you been involved from childhood. Well done on very informative and entertaining vlogs. I was also involved with and have loved wood since childhood through both my father and grandfather.

[@chriscostlow4210]

Man that's awesome seeing a young guy pursuing something that he's passionate about that's not video games or something. Great video.

[@vincentkaiser4047]

I know what you are getting at, I am an 18 year old wood worker myself but honestly it should not matter what you are pursuing as long as you're passionate about it.

[@CommercialForest]

Agreed. We need more young people involved in woodworking businesses. Great video! 👍

[@CommercialForest]

Vincent Kaiser 👍

[@carolriley569]

Wow, I want to see the live edge tables when they're done!

[@josiecapps2555]

This is such a cool trip. I could spend a week there. Super cool 😎

[@GoChaca]

I live in LA and have had a hard time finding a place where I can pick up some amazing wood. Been checking out your videos today as I get to do my first epoxy project this weekend. I am so excited to go check this place out and see what I can find. I am sure it is going to be crazy expensive but crazy worth it. This is going to be my "treat yoself" piece. Thank you for introducing me to this place!

[@CommercialForest]

GoChaca You should definitely head over there when you get a chance. My suggestion is to call ahead and make sure someone can give you the tour. At a minimum, you will come away with a lot of ideas 💡 There is something about seeing the slabs in person that stirs the creativity! Have fun 👍

[@jimpinney]

Wow! Beauty comes in all shapes and forms.

[@johnnypk1963]

Stunning collection of wood

[@enzmvp1440]

A lot of nice pieces

[@srqlisa7881]

My goodness the beautiful woods just amazing to see. This is someplace that school kids should visit and learn. : ) peace

[@totem5375]

Learn how to kill beautiful trees.

[@mikehoran9901]

@@totem5375 Well you're a fucking idiot.

[@midwestmonster311]

Can't wait to see what you fellas do with those slabs. You dropped some serious bank on that trip :)

[@bucknasty7156]

I'm in la.. totally going to that place and buying some slabs!!

[@CommercialForest]

Buck Nasty Their showroom is awesome. Definitely check it out when you can. 👍

[@Thefineartofdistraction]

WOW WOW WOW, it’s like heaven hahaha, I wish we had a place like that here in AUS 🇦🇺 My mind was going nuts with all the possibilities with all those beautiful slabs, burl logs, you are certainly extremely lucky to score them as your supplier, congratulations 🥳

[@shakejones]

great video and what an amazing shop! well done mate! thanks for sharing! new sub for GL Veneer...

[@battdamon4517]

Amazing video. Great passion. Do it again.

[@freshstartfitness8875]

I’d love to go in there and ask....”do you have any ply?” 😂

[@oliverreedslovechild]

Or MDF even ;~)

[@CommercialForest]

Fresh Start Fitness Most of what they do over at GL is make veneer for plywood. Believe it or not, their wood slab/burl inventory (as impressive as it is) is just an offshoot of their veneer business! 😲

[@cree878]

😂😂😂😂

[@doolinmoranphotography4461]

Online it says they are a “plywood supplier”

[@R1j0hn]

Every time I'm at The Shooting Edge I've wanted to stop by your shop to check things out, but unfortunately haven't got around to it yet... Fortunate for my bank account though. But that'll change on my next visit to TSE ! Would love to see some of those slabs you brought back, in person. That GL Veneer warehouse was a wood-workers heaven !

[@brucecampbellforpresident1393]

It was cool watching u guys getting excited how you did awesome trip to me .

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Haha thank you! We were super excited, hopefully we will get to back soon and get to geek out over everything again

[@brucecampbellforpresident1393]

Black Forest Wood Co. good videos are few and far between take ur time wood is gooder than hell!! (Early Kyler)

[@chrisflaris]

Thanks for showing us . That place is like heaven

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

It really is!

[@j-bdekker4871]

I could spend days there looking at all the wood...

[@mccc4559]

New fan, new sub.... thanks for sharing.... looks like it's gonna be fun watching your videos and learning!!!

[@franceslowery8186]

Beautiful 🥰 I love the look of nature

[@brianjorgensen412]

Wow what a great place would love to walk those halls and just think about what I could make and dream big

[@conniehuffaCRE8]

I've driven past that plain looking place so many times and had no idea of the gorgeous things inside. Wow.

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Now you know!!

[@barrys72]

07:00 the potential in that is astounding!

[@tigermanmccool4037]

The wood once considered trash & bound for the burn pile is now is worth it's weight in gold

[@wilhard45]

I don't see the big deal I walk out of my workshop and go over to the wood storage warehouse and I see that kind of wood all over. Then I wake up from my dream. Looking forward to see what you do with some of those slabs.

[@MARKAOWEN666]

Wow what a trip; what a special place to visit. Mother nature slabs ... her gifts. California has some amazing wood for sure as you demonstrated. The live edge business both expensive and challenging ... sourcing, shipping and then finishing these monster pieces. All a massive expensive challenge; however, the end results a one of a kind piece. Clario walnut wow break out the USA bills on that stuff. I believe Clario has to air dry for a lot of years before it can go to the kiln; i could be wrong. The crotch figuring, curl and more in that walnut stunning. I deal with kiln dried Ontario Walnut which in its own accord is beautiful. Great video and very well put together. Must be some good oil money going on out there :) to buy those tables finished .... My compliments. .

[@MacnWood]

Amazing slabs! Wow! I hope the news is that your opening a shop in Vancouver!!!!!!!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻😉

[@AnthonyJohnson-qv5nc]

This place is just awesome!!!

[@andrewdenine1685]

You need pre planned projects for any of this. But amazing I'm glad I seen this thank you

[@lendaryreviews]

Bro. You know about nor california right ? ...... Haha awesome bro. Lots of woods up here but def cool video to see some cool stuff like this....love it. Thumbs up

[@mkllove]

You mention epoxy in fill for those voids, have you seen where people have used molten metals that can be polished or etched with acid for patina ?

[@pilarmorin4405]

Very beautiful, real cool shop...

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Thanks so much!!

[@derrickleung8014]

Wow random recommendation from KZbin after watching a resin table video and it is for a local company, thanks KZbin you didn't suck for once.

[@giannisozo7928]

Those surfboards were just jaw droppingly beautiful

[@theTIVANshow]

@blackforestwoodco. The long slabs that you fill in with the poxy would make great front doors for a log cabin. Everyone wants those for a table but no one ever thinks to make a front door for there home .

[@louis-philippesavard742]

Thanks for sharing

[@stevenosgood3077]

All things being equal, mad props

[@StephenKelly-ey6ne]

I love your videos and its great that you are recycling and not cutting down trees. Could you please tell me if the place you buy your slabs from do the finished sanding on the surface of the slabs and thicknessing for you thanks,

[@A-DUBCLUB]

I have a small degree of wood working experience.. more of the building kitchen side of things. I just wana say to purchasers.. this is not easy to do and select.. a lot of work and detail of perfection goes into creating basically a piece of art. A centre piece of talking point. A lot of memories will be laid onto this and shared. So.. is it worth it.. i totally think so if money is no object. Respect to what this father and son is doing!

[@CommercialForest]

CHACE NGUYEN agreed! 👍

[@CommercialForest]

I was there a few years ago and that massive redwood trunk (the red unicorn, perhaps?) in your thumbnail stopped me dead in my tracks. I took the same picture :) They should put a photo op sign there, like they have around Disneyland ! Maybe too big to move? LOL

[@six.7lopez]

Wow that is some incredible pieces of wood

[@Unflushablepiss]

thats what she said

[@llotsdeede]

Beautiful stuff

[@timemachineeddie1146]

Just wondering. A lot of epoxy's yellow with age. Do your new epoxy's do this? Great video.

[@houndsman911]

Awesome stuff👍You might just break down in years if you would see all of the giant logs going to the landfills here in South Louisiana since hurricanes Laura and Delta. I wish I could save and mill them all😩.

[@erichaskell]

Walked through two warehouses in Port Orchard WA that were full of heavily figured 16/4 walnut live edge slabs, all were mind bending beautiful. Every piece, and there were hundreds, were drool worthy. This place is bigger.

[@micahwatson9017]

I live 30 minutes from there. What's the place in Port Orchard? Are they open to the public? I'd love to see that place!

[@erichaskell]

Micah Watson The longer story is all these marvelous slabs were owned by a fellow who owns all the MacDonalds on the west side of Puget Sound, something like 24. He sold them to a young man who I met who was trying to make a living selling gun blanks, live edged conference tables and some dimensional lumber. About six months after seeing the contents of the two warehouses, the business sign was removed indicating the business failed and either the original owner took it all back or someone else purchased, and moved everything. I never found out as I had no business bothering people about products I could never afford as the pricing started at $20 a board foot. Anyway the facility is on the road into the landfill transfer station across from the kitsap airport. If you are serious to take a look I could be more exacting. It all may still be there and if you go you will be as amazed as I was.

[@CommercialForest]

Micah Watson Was it Creation’s Natural Edge?

[@ericwilliams7374]

I would love to work somewhere like that!!!

[@fred5149]

Never thought id say this but that's some beautiful wood

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Haha it really is 🤷‍♀️

[@greatitbroke]

You guys should come to Ontario and see Legacy Lumber just outside Toronto. They ship wood all over North America. Though Hoy crap I can see why you would want to deal with them! Incredible lumber just amazing

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Great guys at that place!! We’ve dealt with them before 😁

[@donpollard9460]

4:22 - the willow log - it is almost a map of the UK! Hmm, that's an idea!

[@garyneville1141]

Absolutely fabulous warehouse guys!! I'm from Windsor in England 🇬🇧 and I'm going to start working in a similar way. Wish I could find a supplier like that over here. If you have any tips about slab tables I would much appreciate it. Good luck guys.

[@jeremiahjohnson6971]

i have so many cherry burls amd few big oak burls been in the shed for almost two years dryin whole

[@mouse5178]

What are the stars for? Love your videos and the results are amazing

[@FordFracture]

I dont know about you but I've got some serious wood from watching this !

[@billyfinnell84]

What grit finish do you take your slabs to before pour? 220+ or do you polish the crotch and burls, ripples and water marks with 440, directly before pouring. Thank you, William Finnell Greenville SC

[@vickyallen3675]

Love your videos!!! You guys do great work💪 so question ...how much does an average 8ft slab cost there? I live in Maui and the price for wood is crazy? Just wondering if it would be worth shipping.....

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome!!

[@juliabatou1803]

Hi I from illinois wood dale we cut our tree three time but still have the big piece standing on the ground .I never saw tree like this wide. I can send a picture to show you . I hope some one like you guys take it and do something with it.

[@chipblock2854]

What a great video. Thanks. I bet the smell in there was a bit like what geaven will smell like! Nothing like the smell of freshly cut walnut in the morning (bad pun I know!). What type of price point are some if these slabs? I know its wholesale and a trade secret. I have bought a couple of small burrals for turning and they were not cheap. Do you have a video on your supplier in Portland, Oregon?

[@jeffrobodeanratliff6630]

Thx for that awesome vid. Never have I seen slabs like that before

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

Yeah, they have such crazy slabs at GL! Thanks for watching!

[@ManorWood]

Great video , English walnut in the US nice one

[@rdesutter76]

So jealous buddy. Keep it up.

[@blackmapleblades]

I am an Ontario bladesmith, just wondering if you ever have any exotic super figured wood for handles?

[@mikehunt8375]

That octopus though! Daaaammnn!

[@3KUBMsquad]

I live in Calgary and never heard of you guys. Defiantly going to have to come check you guys out!

[@BlackForestWoodCo]

We would love if you stopped by! Our store is open from 8:30 - 5:30 from Monday - Friday and 9:00 - 4:30 on Saturdays! 😄

[@mayaiyer912]

Mindblowing !!

[@nicholasumbro534]

Curious to know how much that trio costed you including travel

[@stubbize4588]

What beautiful wood, so many possibilities, you must have felt like a kid in a candy store? How did you restrain yourself to do few pieces?

[@mackyb.outdoors1377]

burros with tags are floating down the river hahaha like 80 racks at every log jam where i am at its dope

[@thomasgarrison3949]

Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@duramax78]

Did u get all the ones with stars? Cheers from Chestermere.

[@taterskins1033]

My papa gave us an old table of his, it’s a 10 foot long redwood slab with redwood roots as legs. It’s a gorgeous piece but the roots are evil on toes if you aren’t watching your step

[@patrickmassa4275]

Bow tie heaven 👍 Nice video.