Bookmatched Walnut Crotch Entry Table, Console, Server, Sofa Table

Solid live edge, bookmatched, walnut crotch top.

"Bookmatching" is a technique of resawing a large piece of wood in half by its thickness, so that the two adjoining surfaces mirror each other, giving the impression of an opened book.

On this table I've re-sawn the walnut crotch in half end-for-end, as opposed to the more common side-by-side method of bookmatching (original and unique to Philomath Woodworks).

This top features a beautiful high compression figuring.

The top has been designed with a negative space between the two halves, then joining the halves together by shared inlaid walnut "Dutchman" joints (original and unique to Philomath Woodworks).

Inlaid double dovetailed dutchman joints are used to stabilize inherent cracks found in the live edge top. These joints are not only beautiful, they are extremely strong and useful to prevent further cracking or warping.

The bottom shelf bisects the table legs which are splayed at forty five degree. The vertical kumiko panels are made of un-steamed walnut. 

The kumiko pattern is called "Asa-no-ha" and represents a hemp leaf. This ancient square kumiko pattern is believed to encourage healthy growth and is often used as a design motif for children.

This table’s kumiko has 360 hand chiseled joints.

The ends of the bottom shelf have been cut with a sixty degree notch to echo the angles found in the kumiko. 

     

The walnut top "floats" on spacers creating a dramatic negative space between the top and its base. The base is constructed with numerous examples of traditional hand cut Japanese joinery. All the joints are locked in place with walnut dowels. Finally the dowel ends are chiseled to a three sided pyramid point. The four joints that marry the legs to the feet are locked in place with a wedge. The pressure from the wedge drives a half dovetail shaped tenon backwards into its identically negative shaped mortise, creating a beautifully decorative, subtle, extremely strong  joint.

 

Kumiko is a delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. Thinly slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched, mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel and other tools to make fine adjustments. After dry fitting I then reassemble using glue to make the kumiko structural for furniture. The technique was developed in Japan in the Asuka Era (600-700 AD), and has since been refined and passed down through generations of craftsmen who are passionate about the tradition of kumiko. You can watch my "Making Kumiko" video on the ABOUT page of philomathwoodworks.com

The entire table features solid, intentionally placed, highly figured un-steamed walnut. 

 

 Philomath LinBee Finish - a natural blend of linseed oil and Montana beeswax .