Making purfling with Anton Somers

In this video I’m gonna show you has to make thick shavings of popular and how to dye the pear wood black. I’m also gonna show you how to glue the shavings together and how to cut it into strips.
Products used:
- Iron (ii) Sulpfhate ; FeSO4
- Natrium Hydroxide; NaOH
- Campeche wood; Haematoxylum campechianum
www.antonsomersviolins.com/

[@johngee876]

Impressive. Hard to believe so much work and skill for what most people see as just a decoration.

[@larryatha3221]

I’m an amateur guitarmaker, I had not seen purfling dyed and made before. Thank you for sharing this detailed video. I truly appreciate your skill and knowledge.

[@francoisserne4127]

Just so great!!!

[@DavideSora]

Hi Anton, great video, pretty much the way I do my purfling too. The only thing I would add (but which I suppose you do, even if you don't say so in the video) is to use split wood to make poplar and pear shavings. This trick, if well cared for, almost completely avoids the flaking of the fibers that you show at 3:06 and makes it very easy to bend the purflings strips when glued together without breaking.

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Thanks Davide. Your right. I play with it in most cases I like the splitting of the fibre in the shaving.

[@employer-lawyerpllc1025]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Anton!! Loved this video.

[@josephfde]

Wonderful tutorial! For sure make the like and subscribed!

[@octoBadger]

Very relaxing and enjoyable video, thanks Anton!

[@tonynightingale3868]

Excellent craftsmanship .You can not get finer.😀

[@yorkshirepudd7532]

Brilliant your a breath of fresh air

[@peterwhite7428]

Very interesting. Good work. I’m a maker but never learned this

[@Kenji1685]

I've seen someone that had purfling with white or a light coloured wood in the middle of the black lines. I think it looked pretty cool.

[@bradjensen4902]

Great video, thanks!

[@rreinierr4175]

Thanks for the video, very informative

[@michelnagumaqmorton]

Really Nice thinking , love your process , thanks for sharring amazing work and art beauty

[@Daouda-4]

Thank you!

[@user-zc1zh3tg7g]

Thank you so mach Mr Anton^^

[@JuanDallaserra]

Hello Anton! Super interesting process. Is any reason to use pearwood or this can be done with another wood? When I see the color left by logwood on the water I think maybe it can be done with red wine as well...

[@glennlopez6772]

Hello Anton! Thanks for the video and sharing your procedure in detail. The details in the discription box completes the picture. I hope you don't mind Anton, perhaps, making a small bevel or taper (0 to 0.6mm) on the wood at the start of the plane stroke, will allow the blade to cut with less resistance, no jerk and so better control. Nice to know that you enjoy your work although it's really a challenge in many ways.

[@gerardsimons987]

Helder en duidelijke instructie. Goed camerawerk. Mooie uitdaging. Ga ik natuurlijk proberen/ doen.

[@kenzolagast6323]

prachtig , tof om u videos te zien , bied veel inzichten

[@carlrudd1858]

Very good.

[@user-zy1qz4xe9z]

Thank you very much Anton! Please make a video about cutting the channel for purfling. Best regards!

[@stanjohnson591]

Magic almost! Extremely interisting. Someone commenting on purfling said, it was a "gentle imbrace". I'm only an 80 year old novice, only after observation I think purfling enhances the plate tone,(much like a bass or treble knob). Look at every electronie speaker, and notice the special material that is used to attach the diapraham to the edge? I've only hand-crafted 3 violins, & I set the depth of the channel half the thickness of the plate. Just my small thoughts.

[@junulock]

I often wondered how this was done as it wasn’t painted on but stumped as to how it would be made as it is very thin or narrow. Thank you for sharing.

[@guvarela]

👏👏👏👏👍👍👍 excelente !!

[@mirko5040]

Very informative, i use the same method for my guitars. Have you tried other kinds of wood beside poplar?

[@davidc3808]

Very helpful. Many thanks.

[@Nomadboatbuilding]

Is the tannic properties of the pearwood not high enough to use simpler ebonizing techniques such as soaking in vinegar and steel wool? I assume the wood chips you are using is to impart tannins rather than colour. I’m pretty sure that same wood species is used by sailmakers in the traditional tan-barking process.

[@sfmarckx]

Thank you Anton for this video! I also make my own purfling and it is good seeing how you do it differently. The steaming is new for me. Thank you for that tip. I use green pear wood or plum wood and a shooting plane set up. I use poplar veneer for the center. Also, a violin maker friend told me to use yellow glue (aliphatic resin) so it is easier to bend the purfling after it has dried out. I got my dye recipe from the Weisshar book (sp?) and it is fewer steps. Logwood extract and ferrous sulfate and water. No pre- treating needed. I appreciate your attitude towards the little variations that make a violin look beautiful! Thank you again for all the work you put into making this helpful video! All the best, Scott Marckx

[@magicvodou]

could you share your coloring recipe?

[@sfmarckx]

@@magicvodou 1 gallon of water ,1 cup logwood crystals, 2 Tablespoons ferrous sulfate . Simmer the strips of wood in that several hours, then wash thoroughly. I saved the leftover dye water in a plastic jug and re-used it several years later, just adding more ingredients as needed. I hope this helps. All the best, Scott

[@magicvodou]

@@sfmarckx Thanks a lot!

[@magicvodou]

@@sfmarckx what is logwood crystals?

[@raytristani]

That as beautiful

[@luiz3620]

Thank you very much for sharing, can i use any purple vegetable (like beet) instead of using the campeche wood ?

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Your welcome, You can try but I guess not, it has to react with the metal. 🤷‍♂️

[@SamvelAyrapetyan]

Can you please tell me what kind of glue do you use for gluing? the name of?🙏

[@soumiksardar5521]

Do you use this color for vernishing also??

[@moneypenny174]

I want to try making my own purfling. Where do you source the woods?

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Local wood dealer

[@PLINKER]

I was unable to get all of the chemicals and chips added to the pear wood for coloring? Can you tell me again the chemicals and amount of time to soak!

[@chrislord7955]

Before you say it yes i know that you should never use water on any violin repairs or changes, as shrinking will occur but if the timber is allowed to dry out naturally maybe its ok.

[@chrislord7955]

Anton why dont you simply drop the timber into a hot water container for a few minutes or a hot bath and pour in boiling water,drop a teaspoon of oil into the mix,There is a 1s time for everything and i jumped in feet 1st. One of my sons has recently bought himself a few Violins and has been taking lessons, for around a year now , But he is an adult, and i have also cracked open an old violin for 1st time ever , sanded it down and removed layers of old varnish ,but it looks brilliant,showing all the grains of the Violin front rear and sides flowing and looking great, i removed the Neck and seperated the peg including all the other bits .As Also being an x carpenter i knew my way arounf different timbers, and never realized the appeal and beauty involved in Violins untill now.Chris from London.u.k.Thanks for your informative video.

[@AliCiscoKasraei]

Perfect. Dear master.gra8

[@maximusprotectus3743]

can use maple to make purfling?

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Yes, but to plane it it is difficult in a big piece.

[@SarumChoirmaster]

Anton, where is your shop? In what city and country do you live and work? Do you have a website?

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

www.antonsomersviolins.com